Melike Pala
26 February 2026•Update: 26 February 2026
BRUSSELS
Switzerland is considering extending trade restrictions on Ukraine by embedding temporary emergency measures into a permanent legal framework, citing its long-standing policy of neutrality, Swiss Info reported on Thursday.
While Switzerland has largely aligned itself with EU sanctions against Russia following the ongoing war in Ukraine, it has also imposed limits on exports to Ukraine for goods that could be used in the conflict.
The Swiss government applies sanctions on Russia under its embargo law. However, lacking a specific legal basis to regulate trade with Ukraine, the Federal Council has relied on constitutional emergency powers to restrict the export and transit of war-related goods.
The Federal Council argues that Switzerland is obliged to apply trade restrictions equally to both parties in an international armed conflict.
Under neutrality law, Bern says it must treat all sides the same with regard to exports and transit of war-related goods.
Legal experts have criticized the government’s strict interpretation of neutrality, arguing that Switzerland is unnecessarily limiting its policy options.
They argue Bern could interpret neutrality in line with the UN Charter and limit restrictions on both sides to a ban on weapons exports, while maintaining broader sanctions on Russia as the "aggressor."
Under this approach, Ukraine would be barred from receiving Swiss weapons but allowed to trade in other goods.
The Federal Council does not share this view.
After four years of governing the issue through emergency powers, it plans to codify the restrictions on Ukraine in a formal law and submit it to parliament.
The draft legislation is currently undergoing public consultation.
Recent opinion polls suggest that much of the Swiss public supports helping Ukraine not only through humanitarian aid but also through military assistance.
