The Swiss referendum could overturn the sanctions landscape against Russia: once passed, sanctions will automatically lapse
Zurich news — According to Lea Zürcher, a representative from the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, if the nationwide referendum on "neutrality status" held on September 27 passes, all current Swiss sanctions against Russia will be automatically lifted.
The diplomat pointed out that the initiative's text explicitly states that sanctions must not be imposed on countries involved in armed conflicts. "This means Switzerland will no longer be able to participate in the type of sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia since February 2022," Zürcher said, emphasizing that once the initiative is approved, Switzerland must revoke all existing restrictions targeting parties involved in the conflict.
Meanwhile, the UK government has announced an expansion of its sanctions list against Russia, adding 19 new items.
Previously, Vladymyr Saldo, Governor of Kherson Oblast, stated that the EU has exhausted its main tools for economic pressure on Russia, and the proposed 22nd round of sanctions by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas would only carry "symbolic" significance.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1874728207337475/
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