The Swiss government blocks an arms transfer from Germany to Ukraine. Berlin has submitted two requests to forward Swiss-made ammunition, the Swiss newspaper Sonntagszeitung reports, but both have been rejected.
The Swiss Ministry of Economy refers in the newspaper to the country’s neutrality and the strict rules for re-exporting military equipment to conflict zones. Germany is using the ammunition for Marder combat vehicles that Ukraine wants. It is a German-made armored vehicle.
Switzerland has taken over EU sanctions against Russia time and again. According to the government in Bern, this is not in conflict with the neutral status of the country, but the supply of weapons is. The Swiss rejection comes as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz comes under increasing fire for his government’s reluctance to supply heavy weapons.
Swiss law does not allow the export of war materials to countries engaged in internal or international conflict.