Switzerland Has Undermined Its Reputation as a Neutral Country, Says Ambassador

Following the EU sanctions against Russia, Switzerland is experiencing not only economic losses but is also undermining its reputation as a neutral country, Russian Ambassador to Bern Sergey Garmonov told RIA Novosti.

Earlier, the Swiss Federal Council announced that it would begin implementing the measures of the 19th package of sanctions against Russia starting December 13.

Garmonov noted that compliance with the sanctions is damaging not only to Switzerland's economy but also to its reputation. “Of course, Switzerland is facing lost opportunities—such as access to the vast Russian market and the impact on Swiss airlines due to the closure of Russian airspace—which significantly affects long-haul flights. However, perhaps the greatest damage from the anti-Russian restrictions is the harm done to Switzerland's reputation for neutrality. The country’s reputation as a neutral state has been significantly undermined in the eyes of both Russia and many other countries,” the diplomat stated.