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Swiss President suggests lifting ban on arms re-export to Ukraine

Oct 29, 2024

The ban that currently prevents the re-export of Swiss weapons from another country to Ukraine should be lifted. It harms the country's industry and security.

This was stated by Swiss President Viola Amgerd, RBC-Ukraine reports citing Reuters.

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“Personally, I believe that we need to take a step forward for our industry,” Viola Amgerd, who is also the Minister of Defense, said at a press conference in Bern.

According to her, problems have arisen because countries such as the Netherlands have decided not to buy products from Switzerland, and re-exports are not free.

“If we have a problem with our military industry, it means we also have a problem with security, because it is important to have technology and know-how,” she said.
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However, she added that Switzerland, which mediates in global conflicts, would never supply weapons directly to a country at war.

Despite its longstanding neutrality, Switzerland is a major arms supplier, the 14th largest in the world in 2022, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Arms sales in Switzerland have already fallen in 2023, and critics blame the country's neutral stance.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 29/10/2024

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