Green Party Demands Immediate Accession of Switzerland to Oligarch Taskforce
Published: Friday, Sep 15th 2023, 09:00
Aktualisiert am: Freitag, 13. Oktober 2023, 14:12
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The Green Party of Switzerland is calling for the immediate entry of the country into the international task force to track Russian oligarch funds. They argue that the sanctions against Russia for its military invasion of Ukraine are not being adequately implemented, and that Switzerland is obstructing a unified European response to Putin's aggression. The party claims that only by joining the Repo Taskforce (Repo for Russian Elites, Proxies, and Oligarchs) can Switzerland ensure that it is no longer a safe haven for Russian oligarchs and their money. They point to the fact that only 7.5 billion francs of Russian oligarch funds have been frozen, while estimates suggest that 150 to 200 billion francs of Russian money is deposited in Switzerland. Furthermore, recent revelations have shown that Swiss banks have continued to accept funds from associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin even after the war began. The National Council of Switzerland will vote on a motion from the Green Party next week to quickly join the task force. The Green Party of Switzerland, along with its European sister parties, is advocating for comprehensive support for Ukraine and consistent implementation of sanctions across Europe. Anton Hofreiter, chairman of the European Affairs Committee of the German Bundestag (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen), has expressed his dissatisfaction with Switzerland's half-hearted implementation of the sanctions. In April, the Swiss Federal Council even declined an invitation from the G7 to join the REPO Taskforce, raising suspicions that Switzerland is still seeking to be a refuge for Russian oligarchs and their money under the guise of neutrality.nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
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