John Revill

BERN, (Reuters) – Switzerland’s fabled neutrality will be put to the ultimate test. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the defense ministry is moving closer to Western military forces.

Paelvi Puli, the head of security at the Swiss defense ministry, said that the defence ministry was preparing a report about security options, which includes joint military exercises and “backfilling” munitions.

Details of the policies under consideration by the government are not yet reported.

Pulli mentioned last week in an interview that there may be some changes to the interpretation of neutrality. Viola Amherd (Suffrage Minister) visited Washington last week and stated that Switzerland should be closer to the U.S.-led alliance in military matters, although not joining it. Swiss media reports.

Pulli explained that neutrality, which prevented Switzerland from being involved in both world wars of the 20th century was not an object by itself. It was meant to enhance Swiss security.

She said that there are other options, such as high-level meetings with politicians and commanders of NATO and Swiss forces.

The alliance’s decision to move closer would break with its carefully nurtured tradition that does not take sides. Switzerland’s supporters believe this helped it prosper peacefully, and keep a unique role as intermediary in the West’s struggle against the Soviet Union.

Though the possibility of NATO membership was discussed at length, Pulli indicated that while Sweden and Finland are poised to join NATO as full members, it is unlikely that Pulli will recommend that Switzerland does so.

It is expected that the report will be complete by September end and sent to the Swiss cabinet to be considered.

This report will be presented to the parliament to discuss and provide a foundation for decisions regarding future directions of Swiss security policy. It will not be put to vote.

A larger study is being done by the foreign ministry, which will include contributions from the defence ministry. The foreign ministry stated that the project would examine the neutrality of NATO’s relationship and how it relates to sanctions, weapons exports, and the role of NATO in regulating munitions.

UKRAINE REVIVES THE SWISS NEUTRALITY DEABATE

The Switzerland has not been involved in international conflicts since 1815, when the Congress of Vienna declared neutrality. This was after the French Revolutionary Wars were ended.

According to the 1907 Hague Convention, Switzerland is prohibited from participating in international armed conflict, favoring warring parties by providing troops and armaments or making its territory accessible to warring parties.

The constitution includes neutrality. This gives Switzerland the ability to defend itself and the flexibility to determine how to interpret political aspects not included by the law.

The last update was in 1990, after the fall of the Soviet Union. This allowed for a foreign strategy based on cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief areas with other countries.

This debate has been resurrected by the Ukraine conflict. It centers on Russia’s decision to impose sanctions but not to allow the reexport of Swiss-made ammunition into Ukraine.

Pulli explained that “there is an uneasiness in Switzerland not being able to provide more help Ukraine.”

Pulli indicated that another possible measure is backfilling. In this case, Switzerland will supply munitions in order to take the place of those sent to Ukraine. However, direct supply would be a significant step.

While President Ignazio Camills has not said anything about arms sales to Ukraine’s third country partners, Cassis may have taken a more broad view. He has stated that neutrality does not constitute a “dogma”, and that the failure to respond to sanctions would “have played into the hands” of the aggressor.

GROWING SUPPORT for NATO

Switzerland is already a NATO member, but it bought NATO last year. Lockheed Martin F-35A fighters are currently being bought or used by NATO members.

Switzerland cannot join an alliance due to its neutrality. We can still work together, and the systems that we have purchased are a solid basis,” Amherd, defence minister, told SRF.

For a nation that has been producing many weapons since 2002 but did not sign up for the United Nations, these measures could be an important step towards a positive change.

Vladimir Khokhlov spoke for Russia’s embassy in Bern and said that such steps would result in a fundamental change of policy. Khokhlov explained that Moscow could not ignore the eventual loss of neutrality. This would lead to consequences. Khokhlov did not give any further information.

While the Swiss military favors closer cooperation with NATO to improve national defense, public opinion has changed dramatically since the invasion of Ukraine.

More than half of respondents – 56% – supported increased ties with NATO, a recent poll found – well above the 37% average in recent years.

Although support for joining the treaty is still a minor view, it has increased significantly. Sotomo polled 33% Swiss support joining the alliance in April. That is more than the 21% long view in a separate university study.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine clearly has altered many minds. Michael Hermann, Sotomo said that this is seen as an attack on western democratic values.

Thierry Burkart is the leader of right-of center Liberal Democratic Party. He was part of the governing alliance.

He told Reuters that neutrality must be “flexible”.

He said that “some people believed there wouldn’t be another European conventional war before Ukraine,” and added that others had opposed the dissolution of the army. “The Ukraine war shows that complacency is not an option.”

Burkart indicated that he was in favor of higher military spending, closer relations with NATO and greater military spending. But he wasn’t for full NATO membership.

Peter Keller (general secretary) of the extreme right Swiss People’s Party (SVP), told Reuters that a closer relationship to NATO would be incompatible with neutrality.

SVP, which is part of the governing coalition in Switzerland, is the largest party at the lower house of Parliament.

It is impossible to alter this success foreign policy maxim. Keller stated that it has brought prosperity and peace to the country.

The defense ministry does not agree. According to Tagesanzeiger, Amherd stated that the NATO neutrality framework “allows us more closely collaborate with NATO as well as with our European partners” during her Washington visit.