Swiss Parliament Aims to Expel Russian Spies Ahead of Ukraine's Peace Summit

The Swiss Senate supports a proposal to tighten measures to expel spies, with a particular focus on Russian intelligence agents, as Bern prepares to host a Global Peace Summit aimed at paving the way for peace in Ukraine, as reported by Reuters.

Lawmakers in the upper house backed a proposal to "systematically expel Russian spies and other foreign spies," which was endorsed by President Viola Amherd in an address to parliament.

"Foreign states should feel Switzerland is reacting to violations of its security and defending itself," Amherd stated in lead-up to the Peace Summit, that is going to take place on June 15-16.

Swiss President said the government wants to consistently expel intelligence officers whose activities threaten Switzerland's security or its role as a host state, stressing that the proposal would not lead to automatic decisions.

Franziska Roth, a lawmaker from the center-left Social Democrats and one of the proponents of the measure, said neutral Switzerland is a “magnet” for spies because of the concentration of international organizations in the country. This is especially true of Russian spies, according to domestic intelligence agencies, she added. Arguing that Switzerland needs to show "zero tolerance" for espionage, Roth said the proposal should serve to strengthen mechanisms for monitoring and expelling spies.

Since the proposal was already approved by the lower house in December, the government now has to act on it.

Additionally, earlier Poland has announced that it will impose restrictions on Russian diplomats’ movements in the country amid Russia’s involvement in destabilizing activities against the European Union.

A Global Peace Summit, initiated by Ukraine, will be held in Switzerland between June 15-16. The summit will take place at the Bürgenstock resort, near the city of Lucerne.

The conference will prioritize Ukraine’s Peace Plan and other proposals aligned with the UN Charter and international law.