“Putin agents are swarming in Bern and Geneva”
Russian diplomats who are expelled from EU countries in the Ukraine war can enter Switzerland. Security politician Tuena finds this wrong.
the essentials in brief
- European countries have expelled Russian diplomats – but not Switzerland.
- According to a Kremlin critic, it is therefore teeming with Russian agents.
- The Security Policy Commission of the National Council will take on the issue.
During the Ukraine war, Switzerland took over the sanctions against Russia, Russian companies and individuals from the EU. In contrast to many other countries, the Federal Council does not have Russian diplomats, including agents and spies, expelled. Kremlin critics and security politicians are not enthusiastic about this.
Author Mikhail Schischkin recently said in the “NZZ”: “Geneva and Bern are teeming with Russian agents.” Many diplomats came to Switzerland after being expelled from a European country. Peter Regli, former head of the intelligence service, also thinks it is possible that there are currently more Russian diplomats in Switzerland. Also because there are many Kremlin critics in this country.
At the request of SRF, however, the federal government announced that there were no longer any accredited Russian diplomats. But thanks to the Schengen visa, many can enter without the knowledge of Switzerland. According to Peter Regli, there are rules for diplomats. If they don’t, they could be expelled.
An expulsion only because of the national citizenship of the Bundesrat, but not. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis recently said that diplomatic channels should be kept open. If Switzerland expelled Russians, Russia would do the same.
For Mauro Tuena, this practice is “completely wrong” in times of war, as he tells SRF. If one can prove that someone is engaged in intelligence activities that endanger the security of Switzerland, it is imperative that this person be expelled. The topic was soon discussed in the Security Policy Committee of the National Council and those affected were heard. The SVP politician is the President of the Commission.
Ex-SND boss Regli warns: “The Federal Council must think carefully about what it decides in order not to provoke too much.”
Do you support sanctions against Russia?
72%
Yes, that’s the only way we can defend ourselves against the war?
1
Yes, that’s the only way we can defend ourselves against the war?
28%
No, because they hit the wrong people.
2
No, because they hit the wrong people.
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