Switzerland's neutrality test puts Nato ties, Russia sanctions at stake

An electoral poster reads “No war, Yes to Swiss neutrality” is posted along a road in Epagny, Switzerland (AP)

Swiss voters are deciding on Sunday whether to tighten the country's neutrality rules, in a referendum that could restrict its peacetime military cooperation with Nato and limit its ability to impose sanctions on countries involved in wars.According to Reuters, the proposed constitutional amendment would prevent Switzerland from cooperating with military or defence alliances during peacetime, unless the country itself were attacked or an attack were imminent. It would also restrict Switzerland from joining sanctions against countries involved in conflicts, with exceptions including measures mandated by the United Nations.Switzerland is not a Nato member, but it has maintained cooperation with the alliance for decades while retaining its neutral status.

Nato says Switzerland joined the Partnership for Peace programme in 1996 and cooperates with the alliance on areas including military interoperability, defence capabilities and peace-support activities.The proposed changes could therefore affect existing forms of Swiss-Nato cooperation. Reuters reported that Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis has warned that the initiative could prevent Switzerland from training with Nato and reduce its ability to prepare for potential security crises.

Russia sanctions at the centre of debateThe referendum also puts Switzerland's policy towards Russia under scrutiny. Bern adopted sanctions against Moscow following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, largely aligning itself with measures imposed by the European Union.Supporters of the initiative, led by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, argue that such measures have compromised Switzerland's neutrality.

Christoph Blocher, a prominent backer of the proposal, told Reuters that Russia now considers Switzerland a party to the conflict because of its sanctions.The initiative would establish a stricter framework under which Switzerland could generally not participate in sanctions unless they were imposed by the United Nations or fell under specified exceptions.Government warns against isolationThe Swiss government opposes the proposal, arguing that neutrality does not mean isolation.Bern says Switzerland can remain neutral while cooperating with other countries to strengthen its security. The government has also argued that military cooperation and interoperability need to be developed during peacetime rather than only after a conflict begins.The debate has gained significance as European countries strengthen their defence capabilities amid the continuing Russia-Ukraine war.The referendum is therefore not about whether Switzerland will remain neutral. Instead, it is about how strictly that neutrality should be applied and whether it should limit Switzerland's military and diplomatic cooperation with other European countries.