Swiss President Proposes Lifting Ban on Re-Exporting Arms to Ukraine

Swiss President Viola Amherd has proposed lifting Switzerland’s ban on re-exporting Swiss-manufactured weapons to Ukraine, a move that she argues would help stabilize the country’s defense industry and bolster national security.

According to Reuters, during a press conference in Bern, Amherd, who also serves as Switzerland’s Defense Minister, emphasized the economic and security challenges posed by the current embargo, noting that it has led to declining arms sales as some countries, like the Netherlands, have opted to reduce purchases from Switzerland due to export restrictions.

“I believe we need to move forward for the sake of our industry,” Amherd stated. “If there’s a challenge with our defense sector, that challenge extends to our security, as maintaining technological expertise is essential.”

While reaffirming Switzerland’s stance as a neutral mediator in global conflicts, Amherd made it clear that Switzerland does not and will not directly supply weapons to nations engaged in active war. However, she expressed a need for Switzerland to consider a broader security role in Europe, stating that the country plans to strengthen ties with partners, including NATO, after three decades of underinvestment in national defense.

Calls to end Switzerland’s longstanding policy of neutrality have grown louder domestically and internationally since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Swiss Parliament has previously recommended easing regulations on arms exports, though the government decided last year to uphold its traditional stance.

Despite Switzerland’s neutral status, the country is a major arms exporter, ranking 14th globally in 2022, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Sales of Swiss arms dropped significantly in 2023, which critics attribute to Switzerland’s strict neutrality and associated export policies.