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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Two years after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the humanitarian situation remains critical. The UN fears that its aid to the country will be underfunded.
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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The Ukrainian president said he is aware of a plan by Russia to prevent the peace conference planned for June.
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