Impartiality

My opinion is that this will be quite a short-lived thread.

I think the Swiss president made the country's position quite clear when, on imposing sanctions, he said “Never since the second world war has the rights of one country been so violated by another. You cannot stand aside. To play into the hands of an aggressor is not neutral.”

I think that by not supporting sanctions they are supporting Putin ..so not neutral at all .I dont believe they were neutral dring WW11 either just easily bought

I thought Switzerland was a neutral country, not an impartial country, that is something else entirely

Sometimes there is no neutral position. You have to come out, in actions, if not words on one side or another. This is the situation Switzerland is now in.

Putin's invasion of Ukraine is a clear cut evil. Wrong is wrong. Switzerland should support Ukraine.

I think that by not supporting sanctions they are supporting Putin ..so not neutral at all. I don't believe they were neutral during WW11 either just easily bought.

I agree with this 100%.

How can anyone be impartial about evil?

....we all know that Switzerland are imposing the same sanctions as the EU, don't we...?

Has anybody bothered to read Coastpath’s post near the beginning of the thread?

If there was a Russian product on sale, that one and all similar ones should all indicate clearly from what counties they came from, in order to make it easier for the consumer to make a choice.

Chewbacca

^I think that by not supporting sanctions they are supporting Putin ..so not neutral at all. I don't^ believe they were neutral during WW11 either just easily bought.

I agree with this 100%.

There comes a time when fence-sitting is immoral and inconscionable.

That time was in WW2 and Switzerland did not respond.
Now is their chance to redeem themselves.

You'll be happy then *Callistemon".

How we feeling about the Spanish? And the Swedes?

Spain has just taken an important step to support Ukraine in its defence against the Russian invasion. Prime minister Pedro Sánchez has announced this Wednesday morning, 2 March, that the government will send “offensive military material” directly to the country, separately from the assistance sent by the European Union.

MADRID, March 2 (Reuters) - Spain will send a shipment of offensive weapons and ammunition including grenade launchers and machine guns to Ukraine on Friday to help it repel the Russian invasion, Spanish Defense Minister Margarita Robles said late on Wednesday.

"In this first shipment that will go aboard two planes, we expect to send 1,370 anti-tank grenade launchers, 700,000 rifle and machine-gun rounds, and light machine guns," Robles said in an interview with Antena3 television.

She said two air force planes would fly the material to a location in Poland close to the border, where Ukrainian officials would pick it up.

"It is very important because (the equipment) allows for a very individualized defense that can be used even by people who do not have much experience using weapons," she added.

STOCKHOLM, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Sweden will send military aid to Ukraine, including anti-tank weapons, helmets and body armour, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said on Sunday.

"Sweden is now proposing direct support for Ukraine's armed forces. It includes 135,000 field rations, 5,000 helmets, 5,000 body shields and 5,000 anti-tank weapons" Andersson told a news conference.

volver

You'll be happy then *Callistemon".

How we feeling about the Spanish? And the Swedes?

You're quite a new poster, I think volver.

Sometimes having a knowledge of history is helpful

I might be new but I'm not newborn.

Just wondering why nobody is saying that Spain or Sweden are redeeming themselves, when they were neutral in WW2, only Switzerland need to redeem themselves.

Spanish people aided those escaping from Nazi occupied France but the government was largely pro-Nazi.
Sweden remained largely neutral but aided both the Allies and the Nazis.

I don't think they hoarded Nazi gold and treasures though, did they?
All history now of course.

Nor Putin was trying to send gold to those countries recently, only to Switzerland.

Oh yes, this newbie knows how the Spanish and Swedish states behaved in WW2.

She also knows that Switzerland helped people escape from the Nazis. I've seen the Sound of Music you know.

Just puzzled why so many are picking on Switzerland when they've already sanctioned Russia more strongly than the UK have. Just wondering why that is. ?

paddyann54

I think that by not supporting sanctions they are supporting Putin ..so not neutral at all .I dont believe they were neutral dring WW11 either just easily bought

I agree Paddyann

Callistemon21
You're quite a new poster, I think volver.

Really?

I think suggesting a poster may be new sounds as though there's a clique and they're not part of it. Seems rather unwelcoming. If they're new just let them jump in and make them welcome.

The reason I started the thread was because I was surprised by a post a friend in Switzerland made on social media. She's someone I have a lot of respect for and it surprised me. Made me ponder.

I think a country’s government can be neutral about another’s war-mongering, not joining in or supporting either side, but individuals still hold a partisan view on the subject.

Chestnut

I think suggesting a poster may be new sounds as though there's a clique and they're not part of it. Seems rather unwelcoming. If they're new just let them jump in and make them welcome.

Yes. I was referred to as ‘she’s a new’ish poster yesterday’. Wanted to ask ‘who’s she, the cat’s mother?’ Seemed a strange comment.