Switzerland forbids Spain to provide its weapons to Ukraine

Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said that Switzerland does not give permission for certain military supplies for Ukraine, which need the approval of the producing country in order to be able to re-export.

This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing Europa Press.

Speaking to Spanish ambassadors gathered in Madrid, the head of the Ministry of Defense said the country was sending military aid to Ukraine and assured that Spain would continue to do so in the future, supporting Ukraine's legitimate defense against "unjust, illegal and brutal" full-scale military aggression by Russia.

The Spanish Defense Minister also commented on Switzerland's blocking of the transfer of military material of its own production to Ukraine.

"We understand, respect, and accept neutrality, but for the material we need a certain permission from Switzerland, which it is not giving us yet," she said, adding that the Defense Ministry will ask the country's embassy for help in obtaining such permission.

Robles recalled that Spain has been helping Ukraine since the start of the large-scale Russian invasion eleven months ago and will continue to do so, to which is added the reception of refugees, treatment of the wounded, and training of soldiers.

In addition, the minister stressed the military strengthening of NATO deterrence missions on the eastern flank of the Alliance and Spain's commitment to collective defense.

"Any minimal attack on a NATO country will activate Article 5, and countries will act in defense of peace," Robles affirmed.

As a reminder, Switzerland also denied Germany the issue of ammunition re-export to Ukraine. Switzerland justifies this position by its status as a neutral country.

It was also reported that after another refusal in November 2022, the German parliament called on MPs to reconsider the logistics of ammunition supplies through Switzerland, which refuses to transfer shells for Gepard anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine.

Author – Anastasiya Glotova, 11/01/2022