Ukrainian soldiers carry anti-tank mines to install them in the Donetsk region on June 14, 2022.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved
Four months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Swiss residents continue to fear an escalation in the ongoing fighting, according to a new survey.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/sb
Русский
ru
Швейцарцы поддерживают санкции Берна в отношении России
Most of the 2,422 people who participated in a Link survey publishedExternal link on Thursday expressed ongoing concerns about an escalation of the war in Ukraine. The pollsters asked similar questions in March and June to see if there had been any change in Swiss attitudes.
The vast majority (81%) of people questioned in June believe Russia may resort to the use of chemical weapons (compared with 85% in March), while 73% say Russia could even use nuclear weapons (79% in March).
Some 63% said in June that they feared the fighting could lead to a Third World War (72% in March), while 48% said the conflict may spread and affect Switzerland (56% in March).
Neutrality and sanctions
Neutral Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, but it decided to join the 27-nation bloc in imposing six packages of sanctions on Russia since the end of February, following pressure from other countries and prompting criticism from Russia.
Most respondents back Switzerland’s decision to mirror EU sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. A majority would be in favour of further sanctions, the survey revealed, however any involvement of the Swiss army is out of the question.
More
More
Swiss adopt Russian oil ban and other sanctions over Ukraine war
This content was published on
The Swiss government has adopted the latest set of European Union sanctions against Russia and Belarus over the war in Ukraine.
Two-thirds (64%) believe Switzerland should side with Ukraine and apply EU sanctions against Russia. Neutrality and economic sanctions are not contradictory, the poll showed.
In all, 59% said Switzerland should remain neutral vis-à-vis Russia and Ukraine, and 78% want Switzerland to play a mediating role between the two sides.
Only 23% of respondents were in favour of Switzerland joining NATO but 55% would like to see closer cooperation.
External Content
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
How centuries of Swiss emigrants left their mark on the US
Bodycams: essential for good law enforcement, or a privacy risk?
Did you ever come across bodycams in your place of residence and if so, how do you think the use of bodycams alter the relationship between the public and (transport) police?
This content was published on
Swiss wheelchair racer Catherine Debrunner won the 5,000 metres to bring home Switzerland’s first gold medal at the Paralympics in Paris.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss adopt Russian oil ban and other sanctions over Ukraine war
This content was published on
The Swiss government has adopted the latest set of European Union sanctions against Russia and Belarus over the war in Ukraine.
This content was published on
Some countries saw Switzerland joining sanctions against Russia as the Alpine country abandoning its neutrality, but that’s not quite right.
What the Ukraine war means for Switzerland’s energy policy
This content was published on
Switzerland gets almost half of its gas from Russia. An analysis of how the country's energy policy is being affected by the war in Ukraine.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.