EU makes Switzerland a “partner” in the sanctions coalition against Putin EU makes Switzerland a “partner” in the sanctions coalition against Putin

While Switzerland strictly adheres to its neutrality when it comes to arms transfers, it has clearly supported Ukraine on economic sanctions since the beginning of Russia’s offensive war. Brussels is now taking this into account and granting Switzerland the status of “partner country”.

With that comes certain benefits. Subsidiaries of Swiss companies can now also benefit from exemptions and, under certain circumstances, import sanctioned goods to Russia. The Swiss embassies in Russia and Belarus must also be able to get everything they need for their operations.

More important than the concrete effects, however, is the political symbolism: “It is important for us to show that there is an active sanctions coalition and that it works closely together,” says an EU official. In other words: the inhabitants of Brussels are satisfied with the Swiss sanctions practice and want to show it. In Bern, people are happy. A press release from the Federal Council speaks of “recognition for Switzerland’s contribution” and “another sign of the excellent cooperation”.

The appreciation from the EU headquarters is in stark contrast to the criticism recently voiced by the G7 countries. In a letter in April, the ambassadors of the US, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan and Canada accused the Federal Council of not continuing to seek Russian funds. The letter was also signed by Petros Mavromichalis, the EU ambassador in Bern, who raised questions in Brussels.

Because one thing is clear: Switzerland has quickly adopted all previous sanctions packages and will probably do the same with the eleventh package adopted on Friday. This means that third countries can be targeted if they help Russia evade sanctions. In addition, a number of persons will be added to the sanctions list.

Among them, Artyom Tschaika is also a Swiss-Russian dual national. He is the son of former Russian Attorney General Yuri Chaika and made headlines in Switzerland years ago. In 2015, Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny accused Artyom and his brother Igor of transferring millions in corruption funds to Switzerland and buying a villa on Lake Geneva. Artyom is on the US sanctions list. The Swiss Federal Prosecutor’s Office, led at the time by Michael Lauber, quickly dropped the investigation.

In addition to a 12th package of sanctions, it also becomes clear how the blocked Russian central bank funds could continue. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that she would put a proposal on the table before the summer recess to make the funds usable and transfer them to Ukraine to repair war damage. In total, some 300 billion euros are blocked in Europe and the G7 countries. In Switzerland, 7.4 billion Swiss francs are stored in Russian state money. (aargauerzeitung.ch)