While the visit and the Swiss decision to buy F-35 fighter jets were planned beforehand, events in Ukraine have prompted a debate in Switzerland about the country's defences and its role in the world, including its Western ties. Bern's break with its past to adopt EU sanctions on Russia have sharpened the tone.
(Bloomberg) Switzerland is implementing further trade and financial sanctions against Russia, four days after breaking with its historic neutrality to adopt measures from the European Union. The fresh sanctions, which include banning the exports of goods that could be used by Russia for military purposes, come into effect Friday at 6 p.m. Zurich time, Economy Minister Guy Parmelin told reporters in the Swiss capital Bern. The country had been under pressure from the EU to join in punishing the Kremlin and facing criticism from Swiss opposition politicians. Switzerland said the implementation of these sanctions is compatible with its tradition of neutrality and remains open to hosting peace talks as the need arises. Still, it’s a bold move for the country, which has a tradition of maintaining a neutral position in international affairs. It also hosted a summit in June between Putin and U.S. President Joe Biden, and later talks between Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and U.S. Secretar
MATT HUGHES AND SAMI MOKBEL: It is understood that the Russian is targeting American buyers as investment from China, the Far East and Eastern Europe has dried up.