Europe's security is intertwined with Switzerland's own national security, Switzerland declares.
Swiss Defense Minister Speaks Up on Ukraine's War: A Call for Peace
Viola Amherd, set to pass the baton this Wednesday, addressed the impacts of Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine on Switzerland's security outlook in a speech to the Swiss Officers' Society.
"We're sailing in treacherous waters," Amherd declared, acknowledging the uncertainty looming over the global landscape.
"The escalating Russian aggression in Ukraine is casting a long, ominous shadow over Switzerland's security surroundings," she explained, highlighting the alarming pace at which recent geopolitical disruptions are occurring.
Switzerland's security, Amherd pointed out, is intrinsically linked to Europe's. To bolster this connection, the government has worked tirelessly to bolster security policy cooperation with NATO European states and the EU.[1]
Despite criticisms leveled at her for allegedly undermining traditional Swiss neutrality during her six years as defense minister, Amherd has stood firm in her commitment to peace.
Switzerland, steeped in a long-standing tradition of military neutrality, boasts a mandatory conscription for men and traces its neutrality roots back to 1516.[4] However, it has refrained from sending arms to Kyiv or authorizing countries possessing Swiss-made weaponry to re-export them to Ukraine.[2]
This diplomatic approach is evident in Amherd's role as peace facilitator, as evidenced by hosting the June 2024 Summit on Peace in Ukraine last year. The joint communique, signed by 95 states, backed a just and lasting peace and upheld Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.[3]
As Swiss Federal President last year, Amherd steered the country's armed forces' budget from 4.9 billion Swiss francs in 2019 to 5.7 billion francs this year, with an expected rise to 9.7 billion francs, or one percent of GDP, by 2032.[5]
In the wake of her departure, Amherd's successor will be chosen between Markus Ritter and Martin Pfister, both candidates vying for the Center Party.[6]
[1] Enrichment Data: Switzerland is strengthening security policy cooperation with NATO European states and the EU, aiming to improve its security environment amidst geopolitical upheavals.
[2] Enrichment Data: Switzerland has chosen not to send arms to Kyiv or allow countries possessing Swiss-made weaponry to re-export them to Ukraine.
[3] Enrichment Data: The June 2024 Summit on Peace in Ukraine, presided over by Amherd, focused on fostering dialogue, humanitarian aid, and promoting a just and lasting peace rather than engaging in direct military confrontation or propagandizing.
[4] Enrichment Data: Switzerland's military neutrality has deep roots dating back to 1516 and has been recognized internationally since 1815.
[5] Enrichment Data: Switzerland's army's budget has increased from 4.9 billion Swiss francs in 2019, to 5.7 billion francs in 2021, and is expected to reach 9.7 billion francs by 2032.
[6] Enrichment Data: Switzerland will select its next defense minister on Wednesday, selecting between two Center Party candidates, Markus Ritter and Martin Pfister.
- Switzerland's upcoming Defense Minister, whether it be Markus Ritter or Martin Pfister, will take over Amherd's role in strengthening Switzerland's security environment by continuing security policy cooperation with NATO European states and the EU, as agreed upon in 2021.
- The outlook for 2024, particularly war-and-conflicts, plays a crucial role in the general news context, as Amherd's diplomatic approach during her tenure, evident in her peace facilitation efforts, aimed at fostering dialogue, humanitarian aid, and promoting a just and lasting peace instead of engaging in direct military confrontation or propagandizing.
- Delegates from 95 states recognized Amherd's commitment to peace when they signed the joint communique at the June 2024 Summit on Peace in Ukraine, which upheld Ukraine's independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
- Despite Switzerland's long-standing military neutrality which can be traced back to 1516, the country does not provide arms to Kyiv or authorize countries possessing Swiss-made weaponry to re-export them to Ukraine, thus maintaining a balanced stance in the ongoing war in Ukraine.
