Switzerland withholds support for weapons re-export to Ukraine
The lower house of the Swiss parliament, the National Council, rejected a bill known as "Lex Ukraine" that would have allowed third countries to transfer Swiss-made weapons to Ukraine.
DW reports that 98 deputies voted against the document, while 75 supported it.
The legislative initiative sought to allow the re-export of weapons until the end of 2025. Its supporters believed that Switzerland should provide more support to Ukraine and contribute to European security.
On the other hand, opponents noted that indirect arms supplies are problematic from the point of view of the principles of neutrality and that it is a matter of "respect for Swiss law."
Representatives of the conservative Swiss People's Party (SVP) also doubted that indirect supplies of Swiss weapons would play a decisive role in the war.
However, the discussion about weapons for Ukraine continues even after the decision of the National Council. As noted by the website of the Swiss legislature, several proposals on this topic are under consideration in the parliament. In particular, it is not about an exception but fundamental changes to the so-called law on military materials.
Previously, the government in Bern (Federal Council) refused Germany, Spain, and Denmark's requests for arms to Ukraine, citing this current one, which prohibits the supply of arms to combat zones.
Currently, the Swiss Federal Council can allow the re-export of weapons produced in the country only in exceptional cases, for example, if the UN Security Council condemns Russia's war against Ukraine.
However, this option is excluded since the Russian Federation has the right of veto in the UN Security Council.
