Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces fire on Shujaiyya neighborhood east of Gaza City.
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Four of his ribs were broken
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Marwan al-Barghouti lost consciousness after a brutal assault by Israeli occupation soldiers
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip have not stopped, and just a short while ago, fishermen came under fire from boats
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces carry out a large explosion in the eastern neighborhood of the town of Mays al-Jabal in southern Lebanon.
Israeli media: Israeli political leadership decides to open Rafah crossing “as planned” and transfer aid to Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: Three Palestinians were killed after being targeted by Israeli drone fire in the al-Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

Swiss upper house rejects $5.58bln aid plan for Ukraine

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 4 Jun 2024 11:13
4 Min Read

The rejection has reportedly stemmed from concerns that the plan violated borrowing constraints in the neutral country.

Listen
  • x
  • Swiss upper house rejects $5.58 billion aid plan for Ukraine
    A Swiss flag pictured in Switzerland (AFP)

Switzerland's upper house of parliament declined on Monday a proposal for a 5 billion Swiss franc ($5.58 billion) aid allocation for Ukraine, which was part of a larger financial package. The rejection reportedly stemmed from concerns that the plan violated borrowing constraints in the neutral country.

Lawmakers voted against the 15 billion franc package, with 28 opposing and 15 voting in favor. The package also encompassed 10.1 billion francs in supplementary funding for the country's armed forces.
 
The plan's failure had been widely expected in recent weeks, especially among right-leaning legislators who were particularly against it. Lawmakers contended that the package violated Switzerland's "debt brake" provision and rejected it two weeks before the Swiss government is set to host a high-level summit aimed at facilitating peace in Ukraine, without Russia's presence.

The package, which was endorsed by a separate parliamentary committee in April, was designed as an exceptional contribution to Switzerland's security and "peace in Europe," given the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Switzerland faces pressure from Western allies to increase assistance to Ukraine, while simultaneously contending with demands from right-wing nationalist lawmakers advocating for strict neutrality.

 Zelensky seeking support for Switzerland summit at Singapore summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized diplomacy as the most effective means to end the ongoing "cruel war" in Ukraine while addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue on Sunday.

He highlighted the upcoming summit in Switzerland as a crucial step toward peace, noting the participation of 106 countries and organizations. However, he expressed disappointment over the lack of support from certain world leaders, while accusing Russia of attempting to disrupt the peace efforts despite several bids from Russia to negotiate for peace.

"We are convinced that our world wants to be united and be capable of acting in complete harmony," Zelensky said. 

Related News

Pro-Palestine rallies take over Europe despite Gaza ceasefire

Swiss Gaza aid flotilla activists decry 'inhumane detention’

Moreover, Zelensky voiced his dissatisfaction with Beijing's stance, revealing his inability to meet with the Chinese delegation at the conference, and lamenting China's decision not to attend the peace summit. "China, unfortunately... is working for countries not to come to the peace summit," he said.

In contrast, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun maintained that China maintained neutrality in the Ukraine war, promoting peace talks without supporting either side.

"On the Ukraine crisis, China has been promoting peace talks with a responsible attitude," Dong remarked. "We stand firmly on the side of peace and dialogue."

Grateful, but not enough

Zelensky thanked the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands for their military support, especially in providing air defense systems. He also underscored the severity of the conflict by citing a recent Russian attack involving nearly 100 missiles. "No country could handle this alone," he said.

Zelensky, despite the paramount assistance he is receiving, once again addressed Ukraine's inability to attack Russian soil.

During the conference, Zelensky and Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov engaged in an hour-long discussion with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. A Pentagon official reported that Austin updated Zelensky on Washington’s military aid and reiterated the US commitment to robust support for Ukraine days after his country permitted Kiev to attack Russian soil.

"The two leaders pledged to further strengthen the strategic defense partnership between the United States and Ukraine," the Pentagon official disclosed.

It is also worth noting that US President Joe Biden recently lifted restrictions on Ukraine's use of US-supplied weapons against targets in Russian territory, though officials claim that Biden made the move "only to defend the under-fire" Kharkiv region against Russian forces.

Biden's approval of strikes has led European NATO countries to suggest similar strikes on Russian territories. This led Russian President Vladimir Putin to caution certain NATO member states to understand the implications of their suggestions of allowing Kiev to initiate strikes on Russian territory.

On May 28, the Russian President emphasized that Moscow is closely observing such remarks. Putin further addressed NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's comments regarding potential strikes, stating that Stoltenberg should recognize the indispensable role of space-based reconnaissance for deploying high-precision long-range weaponry.

Read more: Deploying Western troops in Ukraine risks World War III: Hungary

  • Switzerland
  • Russia
  • Ukraine aid
  • war in Ukraine
  • Ukraine
  • Swiss upper house
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the media wait for Palestinian prisoners and injured at the Rafah border crossing in Egypt, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Rafah crossing to reopen for travelers from Gaza: Reuters

US President Donald Trump speaks during an event in the Oval Office at the White House, Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

'Israel' may resume Gaza war if Hamas breaches ceasefire, Trump says

Mourners attend the funeral of slain captive Captain Daniel Peretz at Mt. Herzl military cemetery in occupied al-Quds, Wednesday, October 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam Brigades hand over all living Israeli captives

Armored vehicles drive through a street during a government-organized march in support of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US approves covert CIA action in Venezuela: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS