Limited understanding in Madrid of Swiss neutrality
Bern vetoes Spanish arms delivery to Ukraine
Spain wants to deliver military material to Ukraine, but is prevented from doing so by Switzerland. Switzerland would have to issue a permit for the re-export of certain armaments. Now Madrid wants to make representations in Bern.
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Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles is waiting for the green light from Switzerland to export certain military equipment to Ukraine.
Switzerland bans the shipment of certain military material from Spain to Ukraine. Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said in an interview with Spanish ambassadors on Tuesday. With its veto, Switzerland is currently preventing any transport of military material from Spain to Ukraine.
According to Robles, Spain is trying to provide Ukraine with military support. But in order to send certain “material, we need a kind of permission from Switzerland, which they are not granting us at the moment”. Spain is thus prevented by Switzerland from participating in its “legitimate defense” against the “unjust, illegal and cruel” Russians.
Limited understanding of Swiss neutrality
“We understand, respect and accept Switzerland’s neutrality,” Robles was quoted as saying by Europapress. The minister reaffirmed the need to increase defense spending in view of the global “uncertainty”. “A missile can reach Madrid from Moscow,” Robles said.
Certain weapons would require the country of manufacture to be re-exported. But Switzerland does not give the green light. According to Robles, Madrid will endeavor to obtain the appropriate permits in Bern. Robles did not say what military material it was. (kes)