© KEYSTONE/EPA SPUTNIK POOL/MICHAEL KLIMENTYEV / SPUTNIK / K / POOL
The Federal Council on Friday adopted additional sanctions once morest Russia due to the continued military aggression once morest Ukraine. Unlike the EU, however, it does not ban Russian state channels Sputnik and Russia Today.
Switzerland supports the measures adopted by the European Union on 9 and 15 March. On March 16, it had already resumed the extension of the list of people targeted by financial sanctions adopted by the EU. The measures come into effect Friday at 11:00 p.m.
The export of goods intended for the energy sector and related services are prohibited. The provision of loans or other financial means to companies operating in the energy sector as well as holdings in these companies are also prohibited.
The import of iron and steel products originating in or coming from Russia and the export to Russia of luxury items and goods used for maritime navigation are also prohibited. In the financial field, transactions with certain state enterprises and the provision of credit rating services are prohibited.
The Federal Council has decided on certain derogations from financial sanctions for humanitarian purposes, in order to facilitate the work of humanitarian organisations.
All the measures of the fourth package of EU sanctions are thus included.
Sputnik and Russia Today not banned
On the other hand, the Federal Council does not take up the measure adopted by the EU on March 1 concerning the broadcasting of certain Russian channels, in particular Sputnik and Russia Today. Even if these channels are tools of propaganda and disinformation of the Russian Federation, the Federal Council is convinced that it is more effective, to counter inaccurate and damaging assertions, to oppose them with facts rather than to prohibit them.
The EU bans the broadcast of Russian state media at all levels – including via cable, satellite, websites or app. German and French versions of Russia Today are also affected. The ban is enforced by EU state media regulators.
In principle, the Federal Council has decided that Switzerland will resume all sanctions measures taken once morest Russia. However, he intends to examine each recovery closely.
“Very delicate”
A ban in Switzerland on the Russia Today and Sputnik channels is a “very delicate political issue”, Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin said on Friday in the Tamedia newspapers. Such a measure can only be justified if the higher interests of Switzerland are at stake, assures the Minister of the Economy.
The two channels RT and Sputnik are “instruments of Russian propaganda and war”, continued Mr. Parmelin. “They spread lies and disinformation with the aim of stirring up uncertainty and using the freedom of our democracies once morest Switzerland,” he explains.
Banning them, however, might be construed as censorship, according to Parmelin, who further wonders whether a ban would make these channels more attractive. The SVP Federal Councilor also believes that the Swiss population is capable of judging what is “absurd propaganda” and what is not.
Swisscom and Sunrise UPC had already decided at the beginning of March, due to the exceptional situation, to no longer broadcast the Russian state channel RT with immediate effect and until further notice. Neither provider broadcasts Sputnik.
On Sunday, a Ukrainian Diaspora TV channel is to be launched in Zollikofen (BE). We do not yet know how to receive it in Switzerland. The organizers intend to inform this weekend.