Swiss upper house rejects $5.58bln aid plan for Ukraine
4 Min Read
The rejection has reportedly stemmed from concerns that the plan violated borrowing constraints in the neutral country.
-
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.
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
