According to a military strategy expert at Zurich University Switzerland’s army is “archaic”, reported 20 Minutes. Speaking to the SonntagsZeitung, Albert Stahel, a professor of military strategy, said that faced with an attack like the one in Ukraine Switzerland would only be able to resist for a few days. The Swiss military would have no […]
Russia’s UN political appointees silent on Ukraine
By William Thatcher Dowell Tatiana Valovaya, a political appointee who heads the United Nations Office in Geneva, represents one of the world’s most important humanitarian, trade and conflict resolution hubs. And yet, while the UN’s specialized agencies from UNHCR to WHO have denounced the carnage in Ukraine, Valovaya is silent. Valovaya’s uncomfortable situation highlights the UN’s […]
Swiss government open to offering free annual train passes to Ukrainian refugees
On Monday, the Federal Council responded favourably to the idea of offering GA travel passes to Ukrainian refugees, reported the newspaper Le Matin. The GA pass is an annual ticket that offers unlimited travel on trains, boats, buses and trams. A second class GA pass normally costs CHF 3,860 for an adult and CHF 1,645 […]
Swiss government issues special visa for Ukrainian refugees
On 11 March 2022, Switzerland’s government decided to issue special S visas from midnight, reported RTS. These visas will allow the holder to stay in Switzerland for a year and can be extended for longer if their safety is at risk. The S visas, something that has never been issued before, will allow employment, allow […]
Swiss fighters heading to Ukraine risk prison
Around 35 volunteers, including 3 Swiss citizens, have contacted the Ukrainian embassy in Switzerland about joining the war effort in Ukraine, reported 20 Minutes. However, Swiss citizens engaging in a foreign war risk up to three years in prison. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken of a 16,000 strong battalion of foreign volunteers and encouraged […]
Switzerland to donate 80 million francs to Ukraine
As the humanitarian crisis worsens in Ukraine, the Swiss government has agreed to send CHF 80 million in humanitarian aid to help those needing emergency help, reported RTS. According to Switzerland’s Federal Council, around 12 million people in Ukraine need emergency aid. Switzerland has already sent 500 tonnes of emergency supplies to Ukraine, Poland and […]
Oligarchs hit with sanctions in Switzerland
An investigation by Swiss broadcaster RTS shows that many of the Russian oligarchs with close relations to Switzerland had not been hit by sanctions earlier in the week. However, some have since been added to Switzerland’s official sanction list. A number of well-known Russian oligarchs live in Switzerland, who are among the nation’s wealthiest residents. […]
Swiss inflation jumps sharply in February
The high inflation across the world is rippling as far as Switzerland. During the month of February 2022, Swiss prices rose 0.7%. Compared to the same month in 2021, prices were 2.2% higher, making this the highest price increase in two decades. The 0.66% monthly consumer price rise in February represents an annualised rate of […]
Seven Swiss cantons do not have bomb shelter space for everyone
In Switzerland, every resident must have a place in an atomic bomb shelter within a 30 minute walk of their home. The distance is extended to a 60 minute walk in mountain regions. However, the rules on atomic shelters have not been followed in a number of cantons and municipalities, reports RTS. According to the […]
Switzerland adopts EU sanctions against Russia
On 28 February 2022, Switzerland’s Federal Council announced that the neutral nation would adopt the packages of sanctions against Russia imposed by the EU on 23 and 25 February 2022 in view of Russia’s continuing military intervention in Ukraine. The assets of the individuals and companies listed are frozen with immediate effect, said the federal […]
