Greens demand five billion for Ukraine

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The Greens do not want to allow war material to be re-exported to Ukraine. For weeks there has been criticism from all sides. The tenor: False pacifism helps Russian warlord Putin.

But the Greens insist: “No direct or indirect arms transfers that would end our military neutrality and thus jeopardize our diplomatic support for Ukraine,” says State Councilor Mathias Zopfi (39). “Switzerland has other ways to help Ukraine.”

The war-torn country depends on humanitarian aid, says Zopfi. Support is needed to protect the civilian population, clear mines and strengthen civilian infrastructure. “That’s where we should start, rather than focusing on the gun debate.”

Other countries are more generous

To date, the federal government has provided 270 million francs in aid to Ukraine. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis (61) recently announced another 140 million. “That is far too little,” says Mathias Zopfi – referring to Norway, which has decided on an aid package worth 7.5 billion euros for Ukraine. Like the Swiss, the Norwegians have benefited from commodity trading and hoarding oligarch funds, says Zopfi. “We must now also take our responsibility, because Russia’s offensive war was also financed through Switzerland.”

Next week, the Green Council of States will introduce a motion calling for a massive increase in Swiss aid to Ukraine: five billion francs should flow to Kiev over the next five years – one billion a year. The money goes to civilian projects, from peacebuilding to rebuilding infrastructure. The billions should be treated as extraordinary expenses and not subject to the debt brake.

Keller-Sutter would rather save

Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter (59) cannot be happy with the initiative. Because the federal government earned a minus of 4.3 billion francs in 2022, it has already cut spending in various areas, including the military.

But that doesn’t deter Zopfi. When it comes to arms deliveries, there is a lot of talk about solidarity, says the Council of States. “With this five billion we show solidarity that helps in the long term.”

So the Greens also want a Lex Ukraine – but one without weapons.

Source:Blick