The seven-member government agreed that Switzerland’s current approach as defined in 1993 remains valid and should not be adapted in the wake of the Ukraine war.
The government said in a report adoptedExternal link on Wednesday that Switzerland’s current neutrality practice “provides sufficient scope to use neutrality as an instrument of Swiss foreign and security policy in the present international context”.
The government had examined Swiss neutrality in the light of the war in Ukraine and in response to a question by the Senate foreign affairs committee. The cabinet discussed the issue in September.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has forced Switzerland to explain its neutrality. The Alpine nation has parted with past practice and adopted European Union sanctions designed to punish Russia for invading Ukraine.
In response, Russia classified Switzerland as an unfriendly country. In August it rejected a protecting power mandate agreed by Switzerland and Ukraine, saying Switzerland was no longer neutral.
More
What does the future hold for Swiss neutrality?
Switzerland is grappling with a key question: should it follow a path of openness or isolationism?
Meanwhile, in Switzerland a domestic debate rages over how to interpret neutrality policy with two opposing camps.
One is conservative, mainly represented by the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, and wants to keep to a strict interpretation of neutrality. It is planning a people’s initiative that would incorporate comprehensive neutrality into the Swiss constitution.
The opposing, more liberal camp, which represents a majority of the government, is pushing for a more active role in international politics.
More
More
Switzerland will remain neutral – until it’s attacked
This content was published on
Switzerland is neutral. So why has it been cooperating with NATO and the EU on security issues for years?
Switzerland’s current policy of neutrality means it doesn’t take part in armed conflicts and doesn’t support any warring party. As a neutral country it also acts as diplomatic go-between when states partially or fully break off relations.
However, Switzerland no longer sees neutrality as blindly going it alone. This is why for some time it has maintained military partnerships with the Western defence alliance NATO and with its neighbouring countries.
More
Debate
Hosted by:
Bruno Kaufmann
What is the future for neutrality?
Neutrality is in the dock. Does it have a future? And how should it be defined?
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Ex-employee of Bank Pictet convicted of money laundering
This content was published on
The Geneva-based bank Pictet has been fined CHF2 million for shortcomings in its organisation which enabled a former asset manager to commit serious money laundering.
20 Minuten: last Swiss free daily to stop being printed
This content was published on
From the end of the year, there will no longer be a daily free newspaper in Switzerland: the TX Group is discontinuing the print version of "20 Minuten". Up to 80 full-time positions are to be cut in the editorial and publishing departments.
This content was published on
The Swiss population is in favour of compulsory military service and closer ties with NATO. These are the findings of the "Security 2025" study.
Irregular migration to Switzerland halves year-on-year
This content was published on
Irregular migration to Switzerland has decreased significantly. The figures from January to May show that only half as many illegal stays were recorded compared to the same period last year.
This content was published on
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is to cut around 3,500 jobs as a result of financial cuts linked in particular to US decisions. Hundreds of temporary contracts will also be cut, the UN agency said in Geneva on Monday.
Swiss government to help cantons in expelling rejected asylum-seekers
This content was published on
The federal government is to provide greater relief and support to the cantons when it comes to deporting people who are not entitled to asylum in Switzerland.
This content was published on
One in four people in Switzerland feels stressed often or almost always. Among the under-30s, the figure is as high as 40%.
This content was published on
The permafrost in the Swiss Alps is thawing faster and faster. The thawed top layers of permafrost have never been as thick as they were last year. This is shown by the latest data from the Swiss permafrost monitoring network Permos.
Russia says Switzerland cannot represent its interests in Ukraine
This content was published on
Russia has said Switzerland cannot represent Ukrainian interests in Russia and Moscow’s interests in Ukraine because it is no longer neutral.
This content was published on
Analyst Daniel Warner looks at whether Russia’s refusal to have Switzerland act as go-between with Ukraine marks the end of an era.
This content was published on
Switzerland doesn’t take sides in a war. Thanks to its neutrality, it has been able to stay out of conflicts for a long time.
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.