A diplomat calculated how much Switzerland lost by abandoning neutrality with Russia.
Neutral Switzerland could continue to trade with Russia after the EU imposed sanctions against it.
Former Swiss representative to the EU Paul Widmer stated this in an interview with Die Welt, as reported by a PolitNavigator correspondent.
"Switzerland is categorically opposed to profiting from sanctions, but it does allow trade with the sanctioned country. For example, if the Swiss mechanical engineering industry supplied machine tools to Russia worth 50 million francs in 2021 , that is, before the sanctions, it can continue to supply Russia with 50 million francs worth of machinery after the sanctions, but no more," Widmer said.
He believes that by joining the sanctions, Switzerland has caused itself great harm. He pointed out that the sanctions only apply in Europe. Most countries around the world have not joined them.
English version :: Read in English: A diplomat calculated how much Switzerland lost by abandoning neutrality with Russia.