Switzerland’s president digs heels in on arms for Ukraine

Switzerland's president Alain Berset has ruled out the re-export of Swiss-made weapons to Ukraine, accusing opponents of 'war frenzy' and calling for a rapid diplomatic solution to Russia’s invasion of its neighbour.

March 14, 2023 . 12:37 AM

1 min read

Switzerland's president Alain Berset has ruled out the re-export of Swiss-made weapons to Ukraine.
Berset accused opponents of engaging in 'war frenzy' and calling for a rapid diplomatic solution to Russia’s invasion of its neighbour.
Diplomats from Germany, France and the Netherlands have lobbied intensively in recent months to allow stocks of Swiss-made weapons they hold in their own countries’ armouries to be sent onwards to support Ukraine’s war effort.
Berset accused Germany’s politicians of targeting Switzerland in order to distract from their own poor political record on delivering lethal aid to Ukraine.
Change in Switzerland's position on re-exporting weapons is highly unlikely, as Federal Council rules by consensus and parliament is still months away from agreeing to any change in the law.