Switzerland is going to resume in a “comprehensive” way the economic sanctions adopted by the European Union (EU) against Russia for the invasion of Ukraine, the president of the Helvetic Confederation, Ignazio Cassis, informed on Monday.
As reported by the AFP chain, these measures include sanctions against Russian President Vladimir Putin, which involve the freezing of funds.
“This is a big step for Switzerland”, a traditionally neutral country, the leader told the press, adding that the Federal Council made this decision “with conviction, in a thoughtful and unequivocal way”.
Ueli Maurer, the Finance Minister stressed that blocking the assets of people who are on the EU blacklist has an “immediate effect”. Swiss authorities – who seemed hesitant to apply sanctions after the invasion – had been under heavy pressure for days to align with the EU and the United States.
For her part, the Minister of Justice, Karin Keller-Sutter, indicated that in addition five Russian or Ukrainian tycoons “very close to Vladimir Putin” and with very important ties in Switzerland “are prohibited from entering Switzerland.”
These people – whose identity was not disclosed – do not have a residence permit in Switzerland but have important “economic ties, especially in finance and in the business of raw materials,” he added.
energy unit in Peru
Days ago, Cassis had insisted that Switzerland’s neutrality must be preserved and that the Confederation is ready to offer its good offices to diplomacy if talks between Ukrainian and Russian officials on the border with Belarus are unsuccessful. He had even talked about an armistice.
Asked how many Ukrainian refugees the Confederation could take in, he declined to give a precise figure, since “Ukrainians are free to enter Switzerland.” “We will welcome you as European brothers and sisters,” he said.
Source: Larepublica
Kingston is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
