Ukrainian politicians want to travel to Bern to put pressure on Switzerland SRF ombudsman rejects complaint after Odermatt interview

Switzerland is a stumbling block to Western military aid to Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal wrote on Tuesday. The reason for this: the restrictive export regulations for Swiss-made weapons.

Referring to the legal provisions, the Federal Council has already rejected requests from Germany, Denmark and Spain for the transfer of Swiss arms to Ukraine. The European capitals reacted with displeasure and incomprehension to Switzerland’s position. The National Council and the Council of States will discuss the subject next week. Initiatives are being discussed allowing Swiss arms and ammunition to be transferred to Ukraine under certain circumstances.

Shortly before that, pressure from Kiev increased. According to the Wall Street Journal, a delegation from the Ukrainian parliament’s Foreign Policy Commission plans to travel to Bern to advocate for a change in the Swiss position. “You have to do more,” says Commission President Oleksandr Merezhko.

It is unclear if and when the visit will actually take place. Neither the Ukrainian embassy nor the parliamentary services in Bern have any information about an upcoming visit. However, Merezhko’s committee has written a letter to the Foreign Policy Committee of the National Council (APK-N). This was received last week, explains APK chairman Franz Grüter (SVP/LU), a reply letter is being prepared.

The Ukrainian parliamentarians had asked for an exchange in the form of a video conference: “It will certainly take place,” Grüter said – even if the details have yet to be clarified. A request from CH Media to Oleksandr Merezhko went unanswered. (aargauerzeitung.ch)