Swiss parliamentary committee backs Ukraine aid plan
The Swiss parliament in Bern
KEYSTONE/KEYSTONE
A Swiss parliamentary committee has voted to back a CHF5 billion ($5.5 billion) aid contribution for Ukraine as part of a broader package aimed at boosting neutral Switzerland's defence capabilities.
Backed by lawmakers from centre-left and centre-right parties, the security committee of the Senate on Thursday approved the package, which will provide CHF10.1 billion ($11.1 billion) in additional funds for the army, along with the Ukraine sum.
The plan, which still faces a series of parliamentary hurdles before it can become law, passed by eight votes to five, with right-wing parties opposing the deal.
In a statement, parliament said the multi-billion dollar package was conceived as an extraordinary contribution toward the security of Switzerland and “peace in Europe” because of the war being waged by Russia against Ukraine.
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Switzerland is under pressure from Western allies to do more to help Ukraine even as right-wing nationalists in parliament press for the country to remain strictly neutral.
The Ukraine part of the package intends to support the reconstruction and repair of day-to-day infrastructure necessary for life and survival in Ukraine, parliament said.
The committee voted through the plan less than two months before Switzerland is due to host a high-level international conference aimed at helping to bring peace to Ukraine.
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