Swiss diplomacy

Switzerland plays a crucial role in international politics across many areas. We uncover the complexities of Swiss politics globally and provide fresh perspectives on international developments.

Ruag reaches deal with German firm on 25 disputed Leopard tanks

Ruag MRO and German company agree on 25 Leopard wagons dispute

This content was published on Jun 15, 2025 The Swiss defence contractor has settled an old dispute with Global Logistics Support (GLS) regarding 25 Leopard 1 tanks.

Federal Councillor Jans compares EU treaty package with the Rütli oath

Swiss minister likens EU deal to foundational Swiss ‘Rütli oath’

This content was published on Jun 15, 2025 Beat Jans said on Sunday that the new bilateral deal with Brussels was a “mutual promise in difficult times”.

Israel attacks: Swiss ambassador in Iran summoned by authorities

This content was published on Jun 14, 2025 The ambassador was summoned in the framework of the Swiss protecting power mandate for the US in Iran.

Cultural activists and members of civil society are painting on a local bus as they are staging a song march for victims who were killed during the recent nationwide student protests over quotas in government jobs, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on July 30, 2024. (Photo by Ahmed Salahuddin/NurPhoto) (Photo by Ahmed Salahuddin / NurPhoto / NurPhoto via AFP)

Switzerland withdraws from democracy support in Bangladesh

This content was published on Jun 13, 2025 Promoting democracy around the world is one of Switzerland’s goals, but at the same time the funds for such efforts are dwindling.

Switzerland mulls stronger ties with European defence structures

This content was published on Jun 9, 2025 In the face of US disengagement, the idea of a defence partnership with the EU is gaining ground in the Swiss parliament.

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Food distribution "a trap that kills people", says UNRWA head.

Swiss foreign minister’s Gaza remarks provoke strong reactions

This content was published on Jun 5, 2025 Swiss foreign minister accused by several parliamentarians of repeating Israeli propaganda and distorting facts.

81-year-old Swiss man is in Tunisian prison

Elderly Swiss-Tunisian man held in prison in Tunisia

This content was published on Jun 4, 2025 An 81-year-old Swiss-Tunisian dual national is being held in a Tunisian prison. The former manager of the UN refugee agency UNHCR was arrested a year ago, according to Amnesty International.

Human rights lawyer Luz Marina Monzón Cifuentes in Bern.

A call for ‘the courage to keep fighting for peace’ in Colombia

This content was published on May 29, 2025 Colombian human rights defender Luz Marina Monzón explains how international – and Swiss – support is vital for Colombia’s path to peace.

ESA has opened its first Swiss site in Villigen AG

European Space Agency opens first Swiss location

This content was published on May 28, 2025 The European Space Agency (ESA) has opened its first Swiss site in partnership with the Paul Scherrer Institute.

What is the future of global climate cooperation without the US?

Inside Geneva: pandemics and climate change, can multilateralism still work?

This content was published on May 27, 2025 How will the world find consensus on weighty issues, such as pandemic and climate policies, without US support?

Behind the scenes of Swiss diplomacy: salaries, facts and neutrality

This content was published on May 26, 2025 Who are Swiss diplomats? How do they work? How much do they earn, and how does this differ from other countries?

Warm words during the state visit by the President of Kosovo

President of Kosovo praises diaspora during Swiss state visit

This content was published on May 22, 2025 Vjosa Osmani Sadriu expressed her gratitude to Switzerland for its solidarity during the war in Kosovo.

WHO opens annual meeting amid financial crisis

This content was published on May 19, 2025 The World Health Organization (WHO) boss, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, says the Geneva-based UN agency has revised down its budget to $4.2 billion (CHF3.5 billion) for 2026-2027.

Switzerland announces funding of 80 million dollars for the WHO

Switzerland pledges $80 million to WHO

This content was published on May 19, 2025 Switzerland plans to give an additional $80 million (CHF67 million) for the 2025-2028 period to the World Health Organization (WHO), which is facing financial difficulties.

Photo of a woman in front of Kunsthalle museum

How a Swiss fund helps Global South artists connect with rest of the world

This content was published on May 16, 2025 SWI swissinfo.ch speaks to Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama as cuts to Switzerland’s cultural development assistance budget looms.

Ibrahim Mahama's installation at the Kunsthalle in Bern

Cultural aid cuts deal blow to Global South creatives – and Swiss diplomacy

This content was published on May 16, 2025 Switzerland is among many countries slashing foreign aid, including funding for the arts. Cultural institutions argue these cuts hurt artists – and donors’ national interests.

The suspects are accused of helping to plant a bomb on a DHL plane

Suspect bombers with Russian links arrested in Switzerland

This content was published on May 14, 2025 German authorities arrest three Ukrainians, one in Switzerland, on suspicion of acting as saboteurs for Russia.

Tariffs: Washington puts Switzerland "at the front of the queue" of countries

US says Switzerland at ‘front of queue’ for trade deal

This content was published on May 12, 2025 Switzerland’s good offices between the US and China appear to have been positive for its own trade deal talks with the US.

Kosovo's President arrives in Switzerland for a state visit

Kosovo president to make first state visit to Switzerland

This content was published on May 12, 2025 Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani Sadriu is coming to Switzerland on a state visit at the invitation of the federal government.

China and USA optimistic after customs talks in Geneva

China and US agree to lower tariffs after talks in Geneva

This content was published on May 12, 2025 According to the Chinese delegation, China and the US reached a “series of important agreements” during their trade talks in Geneva.

A passer-by walks in front of a graffito of Berlin-based artist Eme Freethinker that shows US President Donald J. Trump next to the writing 'Made in China' at the Mauerpark in Berlin, Germany, 28 April 2025. The United States of America and China are in a fight about tariff policies.

China–US tariff talks place Swiss diplomacy on centre stage

This content was published on May 9, 2025 Trade talks this weekend in Geneva between China and the US are seen as a diplomatic win for Switzerland that’s been increasingly sidelined in international affairs.

Children in Syrian refugee camp against sign for UNICEF.

Switzerland to give millions to three UN organisations

This content was published on May 8, 2025 Switzerland is supporting Unicef, UN Women and the UN Population Fund this year with a total of CHF39 million ($47 million).

Why the Swiss army is training for an emergency in Austria

This content was published on May 2, 2025 The Swiss army is practising recapturing terrain with the Austrians and Germans. Russia is keeping a close eye on things.

In Switzerland, migration isn’t just inbound

This content was published on May 1, 2025 Who are the 90,000 or so foreigners who leave Switzerland each year, and why do they do so?

Tajik ruler Emomali Rahmon and Vladimir Putin shake hands after their meeting in Moscow in March 2025.

Promoting democracy in authoritarian Tajikistan – is Switzerland making a difference?

This content was published on Apr 30, 2025 While the government of Tajikistan’s long-standing ruler grows more repressive, Switzerland continues to support human rights – a delicate balancing act.

US tariffs pressure Swiss pharma powerhouse

This content was published on Apr 25, 2025 Looming US pharma tariffs could challenge the status quo in pharmaceutical hubs like Switzerland as investment shifts to the US.

New York, Beijing, Tokyo – the Swiss government is on a mission to save trade

This content was published on Apr 24, 2025 Three top ministers are abroad this week because export-reliant Switzerland is in danger of being caught in the trade war between two giants.

Ukrainian in Switzerland: ‘I loved Russia…but they threw me out’

This content was published on Apr 17, 2025 Long-time Russian resident Natalia told officers she was for “peace in the world”. The response: a 20-year-ban on entering the country.

Stephan Büchi in his flat in Köniz near Bern, with pictures of some of his favourite places in Romania on the wall.

One Swiss man’s patient work towards a democratic Romania

This content was published on Apr 13, 2025 After the fall of the Iron Curtain, Stephan Büchi took up a short-term role in a Romanian children’s home. Decades later, his heart still beats for the country.

An anti-war protest in Zurich two weeks after the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, on 6 March 2022.

What’s behind Switzerland’s caution over unfreezing Russian assets to aid Ukraine?

This content was published on Apr 10, 2025 It’s unlikely Switzerland will unlock the Russian assets it holds to fund the war in Ukraine anytime soon.

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 in the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA, 12 September 2024

Switzerland eyes mediation role amid rising risk of conflict in outer space

This content was published on Apr 10, 2025 As political jockeying between the major powers intensifies in space, Switzerland wants to play the role of “bridge builder” to avert armed conflict in space.

Photo of a woman in a recycling centre with safety helmet and high-visibility vest

Truth or tale: does Switzerland send its unusable old cars to Africa?

This content was published on Apr 9, 2025 A reader asked if it was true that Switzerland sends large waste items, such as unusable old cars, to countries in Africa. We went in search of an answer.

A giant light installation of the flag of Switzerland, by Swiss artist Gerry Hofstetter, illuminates the north face of the Jungfrau mountain, next to the Eiger and Moench mountains, near the city of Thun, in 2012.

How Switzerland and other states are navigating disinformation

This content was published on Apr 6, 2025 How can the Alpine state navigate the dangers of hybrid warfare – and what are other European countries doing?

Kremlin critic: every handshake with Putin is ‘drenched in blood’

This content was published on Apr 5, 2025 Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Kremlin critic who survived two poisoning attempts and a prison term in Russia, talks to SWI swissinfo.ch in Geneva about the dangers of negotiating with Vladimir Putin.

Switzerland risks exclusion from Europe’s ‘CERN for AI’

This content was published on Apr 2, 2025 Switzerland’s inclusion in the European project for a ‘CERN for AI’ could be limited by its status as a non-EU member country.

The European Union and Switzerland do not have the same currency, but they have close economic ties (illustration).

Swiss-EU economic relations in eight charts

This content was published on Mar 27, 2025 Switzerland and the EU have just concluded a new package of bilateral agreements. Here are some key figures on the long-standing economic links between the two partners.