Switzerland denounces the war in Ukraine. Devastating madness
Geneva, Switzerland:
Russia’s war in Ukraine is driven by “devastating madness” and Switzerland is ready to pay the price for defending freedom and democracy, said Federal President Ignazio Cassis on Saturday.
Switzerland has decided to impose the same sanctions on Russia as the European Union, but Cassis insisted that Switzerland’s neutrality was not at stake.
However, Switzerland cannot simply stand idly by in the “confrontation between democracy and barbarism” and is prepared to accept an economic blow.
“On February 24, the face of the world changed, and not for the better. We must bravely and tirelessly defend freedom and democracy. That has its price. A price that Switzerland is willing to bear,” he wrote in the newspaper Le Temps.
“This war is fueled by a devastating madness that is shaking every principle and value of our civilization.”
While there is no talk of an economic crisis or downturn for the time being, Cassis said the conflict will have an impact on the Swiss economy.
He said the country is dealing with “persistent and significant inflation and rising energy prices” while the Swiss franc remains a safe haven, which will hurt exports.
“There is no magic wand solution that would save Switzerland from the consequences of the current situation,” he added.
Cassis said Switzerland will not send military support to Ukraine, but neutrality cannot mean indifference.
“Switzerland cannot tolerate this war without reacting,” he wrote.
“Russia has massively violated the ban on the use of force enshrined in international law. Switzerland would have played the aggressor’s game with its inaction.”
(Except for the headline, this story was not edited by NDTV staff and was published by a syndicated feed.)