Debate divides countries over arms re-export in "permanent neutrality" Switzerland

In response to the prolonged invasion of Ukraine, Switzerland is moving to amend its laws to allow the re-export of weapons to Ukraine and other parties to the conflict through third countries under certain conditions.

However, there are persistent voices of opposition to the "re-export of arms" as a fundamental overturning of the long-standing position of "permanent neutrality," and the debate has divided the country in two.

Switzerland, which has long been based on its foreign policy, prohibits arms exports to parties to the conflict, nor does the War Supplies Act allow weapons exported from Switzerland to be re-exported through the country to the parties to the conflict.

However, in response to the prolonged invasion of Ukraine, Germany, Denmark and other countries have demanded that Ukraine be supplied with its own Swiss-made weapons.

In response to these developments, several political parties in Switzerland are considering amendments to the law to allow the re-export of weapons, and on 11 this month, a committee of the Bundestag invited experts to hold a hearing.

During the hearing, views were exchanged on several amendments that would require the re-export of weapons to be conditions such as that the receiving country is exercising the right of self-defense under the UN Charter and that the weapons are not likely to be used against civilians.

It will continue to be examined and is expected to be discussed in earnest in the Congress.

Liberal Democrat MP Maya Liniker, who is proposing the amendment, said, "People are being killed in front of our eyes, human rights are being violated, but the current law keeps the weapons in the country, not across Ukraine, so now is the time for Switzerland to move forward."

In Switzerland, a public opinion poll conducted in February showed that 2% "agreed" and 50% "opposed" the re-export, slightly exceeding the support, while there are persistent voices that oppose the re-export of arms as a fundamental overturning the long-standing position of "permanent neutrality," and the debate has divided the country.

Debate over "neutrality" even in universities

Opinions on the "re-export of arms" are also divided among young Swiss people.

In a political science class at the University of Basel in northern Switzerland in late April, about 4 students exchanged opinions on the topics of "Should re-exports of arms be allowed?" and "Should Switzerland remain neutral?"

Many students objected to re-exports, saying, "Re-export is contrary to neutrality, and we should protect our history of neutrality," and "If we are no longer neutral, we will not be able to play a role in peace negotiations."

In response, one student said, "Russia's military invasion violates international law, so only Ukraine should be allowed to re-export."

In addition, there was an opinion that Switzerland should allow re-exports, saying that it is no longer neutral and that it should be allowed to re-export, such as "Since we have been exporting arms to various countries in the past, it will not change much even if we allow re-exports."

In an interview with NHK, a male student said, "It is difficult to judge whether to re-export weapons, but even if Switzerland approves, other countries may think that they decided to do so for Ukraine's self-defense," and expressed the view that even if Switzerland decides to re-export weapons, it will gain the understanding of other countries.

The female student also emphasized the idea that Switzerland should maintain its neutral stance, saying, "Switzerland should continue to be seen as a country where the parties to the conflict can come together and negotiate peace."

Professor Laurent Gottchel, an expert on Swiss foreign policy, said: "Switzerland's neutrality has not been discussed much in recent years, and many people have not had detailed knowledge of neutrality, but the war in Ukraine and the resulting pressure from other countries have reignited the debate about neutrality. Neutrality is always destined to be criticized by the world, and it is not a problem that can be easily solved."

"Neutral" Switzerland's Journey and Support for Ukraine

Switzerland has made this the basis of its foreign policy since it was granted neutrality at the Congress of Vienna in 1815, which aimed to restore order in Europe after the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, and has prohibited participation in conflicts and the conclusion of military agreements.

NATO = North Atlantic Treaty Organization Since it did not join either the East or West sides during the Cold War, it has been the stage for many international negotiations.

In 1985, then-Soviet General Secretary Gorbachev and U.S. President Reagan met and held frequent peace talks to end the Syrian civil war.

It was also in Geneva that Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden held their first face-to-face summit in 2021, before the invasion of Ukraine.

Due to Switzerland's neutrality, many international organizations and sports-related organizations such as WTO = World Trade Organization and IOC = International Olympic Committee have also established bases in Switzerland.

However, in response to the invasion of Ukraine, Switzerland stepped into economic sanctions against Russia in step with the EU = European Union.

Switzerland has a thriving financial industry and little risk of being involved in conflicts, and wealthy people from various countries hold many assets in Switzerland, but in November 2022, Swiss authorities announced that they had frozen CHF 11.75 billion, or more than 1 trillion yen in Russia-related assets at Japan yen.

These actions attracted a great deal of attention for changing Switzerland's traditional stance, and Russia criticized it for "losing its neutral status."

On the other hand, Switzerland is also an arms exporter with a large military industry in the country, but it has maintained its position of not allowing the re-export of weapons to Ukraine.

Germany has repeatedly offered to provide Ukraine with ammunition for its more than 1,4 Swiss-made self-propelled howitzers, but has refused.

Denmark, Spain and others have also called for Ukraine to be allowed to provide Ukraine with its Swiss-made weapons.

At a press conference following the German-Swiss summit in April, Chancellor Scholz said, "We are closely watching the lively debate in Switzerland and hope that something will happen," expressing hope that the country will allow re-exports.