Switzerland’s neutrality prevents its weapons from going to Ukraine

Switzerland is a small European nation known for things like the Alps, neutrality and weapons development. Because of the latter two, the Swiss government finds itself at the center of a nearly global effort to ship weapons and ammunition to Ukraine.

Ukraine's ambassador to Switzerland Iryna Venediktova says she respects Swiss neutrality. “But please let other countries send their Swiss-made weapons to Ukraine,” she says. https://t.co/nXj5nzNGro

— swissinfo.ch (@swissinfo_en) February 26, 2023

Switzerland’s historic adherence to neutrality dates back to the 1500s, after the Old Swiss Confederacy fell to France. Staying neutral helped Switzerland negotiate the ends to several wars.

But the Swiss still have an army, and its soldiers carry a lot more than knives. Through what it calls “armed neutrality,” Switzerland protects its sovereignty through a combination of its military, international treaties and domestic laws.

The Swiss defense contractors are known for ammunition manufacturing, both small arms and artillery shells. Swiss-made parts are also used in foreign-made weapons systems, like the Aspide air defense system from Italy. The Swiss originally designed the Piranha infantry fighting vehicle as well. Now, the Swiss have production agreements in place with certain countries and companies to make the IFVs.

All these things; the ammunition, the air defense systems, the IFVs are all sorely needed right now by Ukraine. Though due to neutrality, the Swiss ban the export and re-export of their weapons to conflict zones.

The West’s efforts to keep Ukraine supplied with enough ammunition to push back Russian forces has hit a major roadblock: Switzerland’s centuries-old tradition of neutrality https://t.co/V9zuPA4Ukt

— WSJ Politics (@WSJPolitics) February 28, 2023

For months, Germany and other NATO nations have been pleading with Switzerland to change its law. The NATO members have stockpiles of Swiss-made weapons and ammunition they want to send to Ukraine but can’t because of contractual agreements. It’s similar to how Germany banned the export of its Leopard tanks before eventually changing course.

Some of the Swiss-made weapons stockpiles held by NATO allies include ammunition for the Gepard aerial flak systems, which Ukraine is using to counter the onslaught of Iranian-made kamikaze drones fired from Russia.

Switzerland did go along with Western sanctions on Russia after it invaded Ukraine, which is giving hope to a small but vocal group in the Swiss Parliament who want to lift the country’s ban on weapons exports to conflict zones.

Switzerland’s government is deeply divided on the issue, and debate could take weeks. Even if the Swiss legislature voted to change neutrality laws, Ukraine would be unlikely to see any benefit from the change until early next year.