Due to Russian sanctions: the federal government defends itself against US allegations

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The federal government is defending itself against allegations from the US. The so-called Helsinki Committee of the US congress hardly leaves Switzerland alone. On Wednesday, she accused her in no uncertain terms of money laundering and helping Russia evade international sanctions related to the war in Ukraine.

Switzerland is not taking strong enough action against the export of parts that Russia could use for the production of weapons. And the Americans make it clear: “If Switzerland is not willing to voluntarily do something about it, we must put pressure on them.”

However, the Swiss authorities want nothing to do with it. “We reject this accusation in the strongest possible terms,” ​​the responsible State Secretariat of Economic Affairs (Seco) of SVP Minister of Economic Affairs Guy Parmelin (63) emphasizes to the CH Media newspapers.

The export and sale of electronic components to Russia has been banned since March 2022. Before the war, Russia acquired parts related to Switzerland from third countries that had been found in Ukraine. These are industrial mass products without military specifications. The Seco has now asked the companies involved that their distributors worldwide should no longer allow deliveries to Russia.

It is calculated with different numbers

The US accusations go even further. Switzerland would have confiscated far too little money from Russian oligarchs and companies. The Americans refer to estimates from the Swiss Bankers Association. This assumes that between 150 and 200 billion francs from Russia were stored in Swiss accounts. However, so far Switzerland has blocked only 7.5 billion in assets from Russia and Belarus.

The Seco, on the other hand, assumes different figures: at the beginning of June 2022, deposits from natural and legal persons in Russia had been reported for an amount of CHF 46.1 billion. And: very few Russian people and assets in Switzerland have been sanctioned. “The frozen assets are only a fraction of the Russian funds and assets in Switzerland.” This is also confirmed by the Banking Association.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of FDP federal councilor Ignazio Cassis (62) also emphasized to CH Media that the accusations from the US “are not based on any factual basis”. “Switzerland consistently implements international standards on money laundering and sanctions.”

The US authorities seem unimpressed by this. They should now also want to monitor how Swiss-based commodity traders are implementing Russian sanctions. At the same time, the US should also be interested in a deeper understanding of European energy markets.

Measures are also controversial in their own country

For SVP faction leader Thomas Aeschi (44), it is clear: after the lifting of banking secrecy, the US wanted to weaken another important Swiss industry. “The Americans would like to have the commodities trade with them,” he says. Switzerland must defend itself against this.

FDP chairman Thierry Burkart (47) expects Switzerland to consistently implement sanctions against Russia. And so far, the Swiss measures have also been recognized internationally. Swiss diplomacy must now urgently and intensively seek clarification from the United States.

The Greens are different: “Switzerland is not doing enough to look for credits from Russian people and companies,” says group leader Aline Trede (39). More resources are needed to track down the assets. In addition, the law against money laundering must finally be tightened.

Center chairman Gerhard Pfister (60) also expects more from tracking down and blocking oligarchic funds. Seco’s measures must be coordinated internationally and quickly tightened up where necessary: ​​”It is a pity that Switzerland is once again facing international criticism for the inaction of the Federal Council and in particular of Economics Minister Guy Parmelin.” The Swiss measures are even controversial in their own country. (dba)

Source:Blick