Swiss Federal Council Rejects Request for Tank Delivery to Ukraine: The Impact on Neutrality

2023-06-28 15:02:05

The Swiss Federal Council on Wednesday refused a request from the Ruag company for the delivery of 96 Leopard 1 A5 combat tanks intended for Ukraine. He considers this operation incompatible with the law in force and gives priority to aspects of the policy of neutrality.

On April 27, Ruag had filed with the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) a request for the trade of 96 used and non-operational tanks. Stationed in Italy, these tanks were to be repaired in Germany, before being re-exported to Ukraine.

For the Federal Council, however, the sale of the 96 tanks is not possible on the basis of the law in force. Such a sale would in particular be in contradiction with the law on war material and would lead to a change in Switzerland’s policy of neutrality.

This is not the first time that the Federal Council has refused the re-export of Swiss war material. Asked by several countries such as Germany, Spain or Denmark, he always replied with a niet, invoking neutrality and the law on war material. This earned him a lot of pressure and even criticism at the international level.

Right of self-defense

In view of the intractable position of the government, Parliament took the lead. Several proposals have been discussed in Parliament. Currently, one has passed the ramp.

The re-export of war material to a country at war would be possible if the latter makes use of its right of self-defence. The UN Security Council or a two-thirds majority of the UN General Assembly should have sanctioned the violation of international law.

Buying countries will still have to sign a declaration of non-re-export. But this may be limited to 5 years. A bill to this effect is currently being drafted.