Swiss President Supports Lifting Re-Export Ban on Arms to Ukraine

BERN – Switzerland’s President and Defence Minister Viola Amherd expressed her support on Monday for revising a ban that prevents Swiss-made arms from being re-exported to Ukraine. Amherd argued that the embargo negatively affects Switzerland’s arms industry and security as the country’s long-standing neutrality faces fresh scrutiny in light of the Ukraine crisis.

With pressure mounting domestically and internationally to adjust Switzerland’s neutral stance, Amherd highlighted that other countries, including the Netherlands, have chosen not to buy Swiss arms due to the restrictive re-export policies. “It becomes difficult… because countries like the Netherlands have decided not to buy in Switzerland,” Amherd said. “If we have a problem with our armaments industry, that means we also have a security problem.”

Although Amherd underscored that Switzerland would not supply arms directly to active conflict zones, she noted the need for Switzerland to bolster its defence efforts and enhance security ties across Europe, including with NATO. Switzerland was ranked the 14th largest arms supplier globally in 2022, though sales dropped in 2023 as the nation’s neutrality impacted international demand for its weaponry.

Switzerland’s parliament has previously recommended easing arms export rules, but the government declined to make changes last year.