(ANSA-AFP) - GENEVA, MARCH 12 - The president of the Swiss Confederation, Alain Berset, defended Switzerland's historic neutrality in an interview with Nzz am Sontag, reiterating his opposition to the transfer of arms to Ukraine and denouncing a "war frenzy".
"I feel this warlike frenzy in certain circles - said Alain Berset -. And this worries me a lot because this sensation is based on a short-term vision".
"Swiss weapons must not be used in wars", reiterated the socialist president, underlining that the Federal Council's position on the matter was very clear.
"I understand and respect the fact that other countries have a different position - said the president of the Confederation -. But the Swiss position must also be respected".
"Simply saying now that the situation is different, that Switzerland has to change everything without taking into account the legal basis, is not possible."
The neutrality debate has been stirring Switzerland up since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. The Alpine country - which is not part of the European Union - has adopted all the sanctions taken by Brussels against Moscow, believing that these sanctions are compatible with its neutrality.
However, his government remains adamant on the country's historical neutrality, despite pressure from Kiev and its allies to allow the re-export of Swiss arms and ammunition.
(ANSA-AFP).
