Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Swiss politicians defend Ukraine visit

Irène Kälin speaks with Ukrainian officials during the Swiss parliamentary trip to the war torn country.
Irène Kälin (pictured centre) during the Swiss parliamentary trip to war torn Ukraine. © Keystone / Peter Klaunzer

A cross-party group of parliamentarians insist that their recent visit to Ukraine has not compromised Switzerland’s neutrality.

The delegation has been criticised, primarily by the right-wing People’s Party, for showing support for Ukraine during its invasion by Russia.

“I have pointed out during every statement in Ukraine that Switzerland cannot and will not supply weapons,” Irène Kälin, leader of the House of Representatives, told the Swiss media on the return of the delegation on Thursday.

These statements had been accepted by Ukrainian officials, she added. Other members of the delegation had also reiterated Switzerland’s refusal to supply weapons.

The parliamentarians visited the Kyiv suburb of Irpin to hear testimony of alleged war crimes committed by Russian forces.

Kälin insisted that the information gathered on the trip would prove useful for a planned Ukraine Reform ConferenceExternal link that is due to take place in the southern Swiss city of Lugano in July.

“We can provide money and know-how for the reconstruction of Ukraine,” she said.

Switzerland is for the first time due to play host to the Conference as it prepares for its fifth edition, pending developments in Ukraine.

The Ukraine Reform Conference was first set up in 2017 and is designed to help ease through political and economic changes in the country.

External Content

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Swiss Armed Forces have around 147,000 personnel

More

Number of Swiss armed forces exceeds specified limit

This content was published on The Swiss armed forces had an effective headcount of around 147,000 as of March 1, 2024. This exceeds the upper limit of 140,000 specified in the army organisation by 5%.

Read more: Number of Swiss armed forces exceeds specified limit
Two men charged by the MPC with money laundering

More

Two Swiss men charged with money laundering

This content was published on One million francs, 34 million euros and around 830 kilos of gold: this is the fortune that two Swiss nationals are accused of having moved across borders for at least four years.

Read more: Two Swiss men charged with money laundering
Richemont reports lower first-half results

More

Richemont reports lower first-half results

This content was published on Geneva-based luxury goods group Richemont reported a downturn in performance for the first half of its 2024/25 financial year. Both sales and profit declined.

Read more: Richemont reports lower first-half results

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR