Fri, Apr 29th 2022
Swiss dignitaries visit Ukraine, how the Swiss military could be modernized and more in our roundup of Swiss news from April 25-29.
Swiss Confederation President Ignazio Cassis in March announced that Switzerland would enact tough sanctions on Russia.
Is Switzerland really sanctioning Russia?
Only about $8 billion of Russian assets have been frozen so far despite the Swiss Banker’s Association estimating that there is about $150-200 billion of Russian funds in Switzerland, according to a report released this week. Bank officials say most of that money is being held under different names or through lawyers working for oligarchs, but critics say the Swiss financial institutions are not using all the tools at their disposal. And some smaller, private institutions may not even be trying. Read more.
Swiss parliamentarian under fire for visiting Kyiv
National Council President Irène Kälin and three other parliamentarians visited Kyiv this week and met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss financial and humanitarian aid for the war-torn nation. The visit was perceived poorly by the Swiss People’s Party, as Switzerland is historically neutral. “I have pointed out during every statement in Ukraine that Switzerland cannot and will not supply weapons,” Kälin told Swiss media, adding that the country can provide “money and know-how for the reconstruction of Ukraine.” Read more.
Modernizing the Swiss Army may save it
A political campaign launched this week to modernize the Swiss military and create a compulsory “citizen’s service” that would benefit society and Switzerland’s environment, according to advocates of the change. Under the service, men and women, as well as foreign residents living in Switzerland would be asked to give a few months’ time serving the community at large. Current military staffing levels are dwindling and such a move could protect the Swiss military as a whole, advocates say. Read more.
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