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 in Gaza: Four fetuses and three premature babies died at Nasser Medical Complex due to malnutrition
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was killed in an Israeli airstrike on a car in the town of Burj Qalawieh, south Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The first ship of the Maghreb fleet delivering aid to break the siege on Gaza departs from the port of Gammarth in Tunisia.
Channel 12: Airspace closed at Ramon Airport due to fears of drone infiltration
IOF Spokesperson: Sirens sounded over an aircraft infiltration in the Bir Ora area, and details are being examined
Drone infiltration sirens sound north of the Gulf of Aqaba
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out five extremely violent raids on the western areas of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: The Israeli occupation carried out major bombings in the Gaza Strip, the most violent since October 7
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected

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

Spain, Switzerland, India reconsider F-35 purchases amid US tariffs

Sudan’s al-Burhan meets Trump’s Africa advisor in Switzerland: Sources

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

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza.

Uprising against Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council over Gaza

  • Politics
  • 12 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
People protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, on Friday, September 27, 2024 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' stops unfunded diplomacy ahead of UN, October 7 memorial

An Israeli Air Force fighter jet releases flares over the Gaza Strip, is seen from southern occupied Palestine, Thursday, May 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

OIC summit draft: Israeli attack on Qatar risks normalization

People shout slogans and hold Palestinian flags while protesting during the twenty-first stage of La Vuelta cycling race from Alalpardo to Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (AP)
Sports

Pro-Palestine protests force abrupt end to Vuelta a España finale

Damage is seen after an Israeli strike targeted a compound that hosted Hamas' political leadership in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday, September 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime faces growing isolation over Qatar strike: 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