“Has to do with decency” – German politicians angry about Swiss ammunition blockade Corona winter and how our immune system is ticking – 11 questions, 11 answers

On Thursday, the federal government spoke out against the supply of Swiss tank ammunition from Germany to Ukraine. Economy Minister Guy Parmelin reiterated this position in a letter to German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht.

In concrete terms, this concerns 12,400 cartridges of 35 millimeters of ammunition for the anti-aircraft tank Gepard, which Germany wanted to supply to Ukraine. Germany argues that the supply is essential to defend important infrastructure. This also includes ports that allow grain exports.

With this attitude, Swiss politics is now getting little understanding in Germany. Above all, Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann (FDP), the chairman of the Defense Commission, is annoyed by the Swiss ammunition blockade. If Switzerland doesn’t help protect Ukraine’s grain exports, “it indirectly helps Russia starve the poorest countries,” she told Blick.

This has nothing to do with neutrality, “but with decency”. One should therefore reconsider the purchase of Swiss ammunition for existentially important weapons in the future.

Marcus Faber (FDP), who is also on the defense committee, also criticizes the federal government. He asked Blick that Switzerland should “make it clear whether it wants to treat Germany as badly as it attacked Ukraine”. If this is the case, he too agrees that ammunition imports should be stopped. “Unfortunately, we can no longer count on deliveries from our friendly neighbors.”

When he said no to the German issue, Economy Minister Parmelin argued with the neutrality law, which is part of customary international law. As long as Ukraine is engaged in an international conflict, Switzerland cannot accept a request for the transfer of war material to Ukraine because of the principle of equal treatment under the law of neutrality. Partly due to the provisions of the Swiss War Material Act, it is not possible to pass on the cheetah ammunition. (dab)