© KEYSTONE/ANTHONY ANEX
Swiss Defense Minister Viola Amherd says she is concerned about the escalation of tensions in Ukraine. “There is a real risk […] of an armed conflict in Europe”, she says, stressing that everything must be done to avoid a war.
But “the window for a diplomatic solution in order to get out of this crisis is closing more and more,” warns Ms. Amherd in an interview broadcast on Wednesday by the newspapers of the Tamedia press group.
This new violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a European state may mean a change of era in terms of security policy in Europe, she adds, with reference to Ukraine. “The situation is more unstable than a few years ago.”
The army “ready to fight”
The Federal Councilor does not expect the Swiss army to be affected in its main defense mission. “For the moment, our army is not on alert. But it stands ready to stand up to protect the population”. It could also be engaged to support the civil authorities in order to control the indirect consequences of the crisis, specifies the minister.
Switzerland, continues Mrs. Amherd, is affected in more ways than one by the crisis. “Politically, we are concerned, because international law is violated. If the conflict continues to worsen, Switzerland may be affected by refugee movements, disruptions in energy supplies or even cyberattacks”.
Regarding possible Swiss support for EU and US sanctions, the centrist from Valais stresses that Russia’s recognition of the two breakaway republics in eastern Ukraine is contrary to international law. “When Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, Switzerland had already ensured that the sanctions were not circumvented.”