“These foreign agents represent a threat to the internal and external security of Switzerland,” member of the National Council Fabian Molina told NZZ.However, Switzerland has not yet introduced any effective countermeasures. Switzerland, typically neutral, has departed from tradition by adopting most EU sanctions against Russia and specific individuals amid the ongoing conflict, freezing approximately $8.2 billion in Russian assets last year. However, diplomatic immunity remains unaffected as the Swiss Foreign Affairs Department aims to maintain communication channels with Russia.
“When Switzerland expels diplomats, it does so for reasons of internal security, and these cases are not communicated publicly,” the Swiss Foreign Affairs Department spokesperson told the newspaper.In their annual national security report for June 2023, Swiss intelligence services highlighted the potential presence of dozens of Russian spies in Switzerland, masquerading as diplomats.
“Of the roughly 220 people that are accredited as diplomatical or technical-administrative personnel at the diplomatic and consular representations in Geneva and Bern, at least a third are likely still active for Russian intelligence agencies,” the NDB said in the report.Switzerland's neutral stance also restricts the export of Swiss weapons to Ukraine. This rule applies regardless of the purchaser, who must sign a non-reexport declaration. In June 2023, Switzerland's National Council, the lower house of parliament, rejected the "Lex Ukraine'' bill, which sought to enable third countries to provide Swiss-made weapons to Ukraine. Read more:
- Switzerland rejects sale of 96 Leopard 1 A5 tanks for use in Ukraine
- Almost 100 Leopard 1s stored in the open in Italy as Switzerland blocked their transfer to Ukraine
- Switzerland expands sanctions against Russia, joining EU's 11th sanctions package
