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The Germans are not allowed to supply Swiss-made ammunition to Ukraine. Denmark is not allowed to pass on wheeled infantry fighting vehicles, Spain no anti-aircraft guns. Switzerland is currently not making friends in Western Europe. And soon felt it.
“To be honest, I was very disappointed and find it difficult to understand,” says Prime Minister Mark Rutte (56). Wednesday’s decision by the Federal Council to block the export of 96 Leopard 1 tanks stored in Italy by the Ruag armaments group once again caused red heads.
The plan was to get the tanks ready in Germany and then send them to Ukraine. The Netherlands even wanted to foot the bill. But nothing comes of that. “I had really hoped for a different result,” said Rutte. The Swiss attitude raises questions.
Switzerland cannot benefit alone
The Hague now wants to put pressure on Switzerland. Not only the Netherlands must stop buying Swiss weapons and ammunition in the future. The Dutch government should also call on other European countries to increase pressure on Bern.
The Dutch parliament has already approved with a large majority a request from Jeroen van Wijngaarden (45) of the conservative-liberal People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD), the Dutch Ministry of Defense confirms to Blick.
“Switzerland benefits from the security and stability that NATO and the EU offer the European continent,” says van Wijngaarden. In addition, the country participates in projects of the European Defense Agency. The expectation is therefore clear that Switzerland will in any case not torpedo its efforts to support Ukraine.
Berlin has already taken the first measures
Last year, the Netherlands bought approximately 13.7 million Swiss francs worth of war material from Switzerland. That is only 1.5 percent of the total Swiss arms exports of 955 million in 2022. However, if other European countries follow suit, the Swiss arms industry could come under severe pressure.
In fact, Germany also took the first measures in February. The fact that Bern cannot be trusted as an armament partner in wartime, as vice-chancellor Robert Habeck (53) railed, has consequences: Germany has decided to produce ammunition for the Gepard anti-aircraft tank itself again. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (63) explained at the time that this step was taken in order not to be dependent on Switzerland.
“It means the death of an independent defense policy”
“We warned of exactly such scenarios before the war material law was tightened,” emphasizes SVP national councilor Mauro Tuena (51). But now the chairman of the Security Policy Committee is completely in line with the Bundesrat – the SVP does not want any exceptions for Ukraine. By refusing to pass on Swiss weapons to a warring party, the Federal Council and the majority of parliament were simply following the law, says Tuena.
Despite increasing pressure from abroad, quick shots are not recommended. “Hopefully the war in Ukraine will be over soon,” says Tuena. Then the legal situation can be checked in peace.
FDP chairman Thierry Burkart (47) sounds more concerned. “It is a logical consequence that no one wants to buy Swiss weapons anymore if they are not even allowed to be passed on years later if necessary.” That could have serious consequences: “In the long run, this would mean the death of the Swiss arms industry and thus the death of an independent defense policy.”
This is especially annoying because the ban on re-exports has nothing to do with neutrality, says Burkart. “Swiss neutrality is currently being harmed as this false link reduces its acceptance.” This may also have consequences for Switzerland.
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
