Will Switzerland Send Arms to Ukraine?

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has caused Switzerland to question their neutrality. In this video, we’re going to look at Switzerland’s neutrality policy, why it forbade them from sending arms to Ukraine, and whether it might change in the future.

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[TheMasterTeddy]

Neutrality is always a complicated policy. Switzerland also allowed the Nazis to use the gotthard tunnel to connect Germany with Italy in WWII. None talks about it anymore. Neutrality is always a question of definition. And many people in Switzerland confuse neutrality with isolationism.

[MarcHatePage]

I'm Swiss myself and just wanted to say that this is good reporting on the topic. Many international news outlets don't seem to understand the conflict of interest there is in this country about this topic, but you explained it pretty well.

[kittersky]

Great video and it's good to see an outside perspective of this topic as a Swiss citizen. One thing I should mention however is that sending humanitarian aid to warring countries has always been part of the Swiss neutrality policy so helping Ukraine in that regards doesn't constitute a violation of our neutral position. That said, if we were truly neutral, we would have to send humanitarian aid to Russia as well, should they need/ask for it, but I'm not sure that would happen.

[scotandiamapping]

I don't think so. In the grand scheme of history Ukraine isn't the biggest thing that's happened since Switzerland became neutral.

[iGleeson]

Switzerland: “Swiss weapons must not be used in wars"

Haven't they heard? It's not a war, it's a "special military operation".

[Bavariandude]

The Swiss aren't ever gonna ditch neutrality, mainly because of the economic benefits they get from East and West, Austria is more likely to break neutrality

[MrShpoulsen]

Hardcore Swiss neutrality is a bit weird when they are entirely surrounded by the EU and almost entirely surrounded by major NATO countries.

[Eoin-B]

The swiss didn't stay out of the EU because of neutrality, they stayed out because it would interfere with their direct democracy (referendums on every policy) system.

[firstsecond]

"Yet to join the EU"
Why do they word it as of its just a matter of time

[Luke_Go]

Something that many don't know is that the Swiss are still dealing with their role during WWII (munition supplies to Nazis).
Even non-military-used Swiss arms supplies have been controversial within Switzerland for many decades and now, the Swiss are faced with an ethical problem that they really didn't want to face. (questioning if any Swiss arms should be exported - to anywhere)

[alessandrovitale]

I’m from Switzerland and was eager to see mistakes in the reportage which didn’t occur. You did a great job with your research!

[Cazed]

The "why" is really imposrtant when discussing Swiss neutrality. It's purpose is defence, basicaly they are neutral to avoid offending or siding with any of their stronger neighbors, so in the UN the Swiss almost never cast a vote unless all of western eu are on the same side.

I think the main reason they are going somewhat anti Russia is because they broke a diplomatic agreement (Ukrainian nukes for protecting their independence), which the Swiss don't want to see become a trend un the 21st century

[hofimastah]

The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing.

[Ehrgeiz]

Thank you for being a respectable media outlet. Mad respect for the attempts of TLDR to stay unbiased. It must be hard.

[Andreas_]

About the sanctions: Switzerland sanctions currently about a dozen different countries, some organisations and a whole list of people. Usually the sanctions just don't get so much attention from the media.

[akaviri]

If I understand correctly, it would be fine to send old equipment back to whoever initialy sold it to switzerland, which in the case of rapier systems is the UK. Can't they just do that and let the UK take responsability for where these end up next ?

[Schweizer_Politik]

Greetings from Switzerland.

It is indeed a very hot topic here and the sides are very emotional.

Me personally im absolutely in favour of increasing swiss sanctions.

Sending arms isnt as popular, and its a very difficult topic. But me personally I would be for it.

[Ruiseal]

Swiss neutrality made sense when the states that bordered it went to war but now its so deeply economicly and culturally insinc with them i think it actually hurts Switzerland now. For example diplomatically as refrenced in the vid by not allowing its neighbours to use the weapons as they wish and as a consequence economically as arms manufacturing moves out due potential customers looking for suppliers with less restrictions

[mivapusa]

They didn't ditch it for the Nazis then, won't do it now

[ax]

2:47 This franc symbol isn't used in Switzerland. It's CHF, SFr., Fr., or .– (for point 00)