Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine Pushes Neutral Switzerland Closer To NATO

Switzerland's fabled neutral status is about to face its biggest test in decades, with the defense ministry tilting closer to Western military powers in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, John Revill reported for Reuters.

Photo Insert: Public opinion regarding NATO has undergone a sea-change since the Ukraine invasion with more than half of respondents – 56% - supported increased ties with NATO, a recent poll found – well above the 37% average in recent years.

Switzerland has not fought in an international war since 1815, when it adopted neutrality at the Congress of Vienna which ended the French Revolutionary Wars.

The defense ministry is drawing up a report on security options that include joint military exercises with NATO countries and "backfilling" munitions, Paelvi Pulli, head of security policy at the Swiss defense ministry told Reuters. The details of the policy options under discussion in the government have not been previously reported.

"Ultimately, there could be changes in the way neutrality is interpreted," Pulli said in an interview last week. On a trip to Washington this week, Defense Minister Viola Amherd said Switzerland should work more closely with the US-led military alliance, but not join it, Swiss media reported.

Amherd said the framework of the neutrality law "allows us to work more closely together with NATO and also with our European partners," Tagesanzeiger newspaper reported.

Neutrality, which kept Switzerland out of both world wars during the 20th century, was not an objective in itself, but was intended to increase Swiss security, Pulli said. Other options include high-level and regular meetings between Swiss and NATO commanders and politicians, she said.

Moving so much closer to the alliance would mark a departure from the carefully nurtured tradition of not taking sides that its supporters say helped Switzerland prosper peacefully and maintain a special role as intermediary, including during the West's standoff with the Soviet Union.

The Swiss military favors greater cooperation with NATO as a way to strengthen national defense, while public opinion has undergone a sea-change since the Ukraine invasion. More than half of respondents – 56% - supported increased ties with NATO, a recent poll found – well above the 37% average in recent years.

Support for actually joining the treaty remains a minority view but has grown significantly. The April poll by Sotomo showed 33% of Swiss people supported joining the alliance, higher than the 21% long-term view in a separate study by ETH University in Zurich.

"Clearly the Russian invasion of Ukraine has changed a lot of minds. This is seen as an attack on our Western democratic values," said Michael Hermann of Sotomo.

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