After decades of sitting off to the sideline, refusing to get involved or take a side in world conflicts, Switzerland’s federal council said Monday it would adopt sanctions against Russia immediately.  The Swiss are matching what the European Union has done, even though Switzerland is not a member. 

Specifically, they are targeting Russian companies and individuals, taking the steps of freezing the personal assets of Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and Sergei Lavrov, the Foreign Minister. 

Here’s part of a statement from Monday. 

“Switzerland reaffirms its solidarity with Ukraine and its people.”

Switzerland is also closing its airspace to every flight originating from Russia and will not allow any planes with Russian markings to fly through their country. 

Other typically neutral counties are getting involved in the biggest conflict in Europe since World War 2.  Sweden will be sending military aid and including anti-tank weapons to Ukraine.  The last time Sweden supported any military operation was in 1939 after the Soviet Union invaded Finland. 

The EU is purchasing and sending weapons to Ukraine, the first time the group has done that. 

The financial sanctions countries are imposing on Russian continue.  Norway owns the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, and they announced they would dump all Russian investments from their $1.3 trillion fund that currently includes 47 Russian companies and government bonds.

Here’s part of a statement released from Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. 

”Russia’s attack on Ukraine has challenged Europe’s security in a way we have not seen since the Second World War.  It challenges our norms, our values, and the principles that our democratic society is based on.”

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