Swiss Parliament Rejects Joining Russia Sanctions Task Force
- Cooperation with G-7 body already works well, lawmakers say
- Government feels vindicated by decision, ministry says
Supporters handing over 140,000 citizen signatures to the Swiss Chancellery of a popular initiative "neutrality initiative" aims to prohibit Switzerland from entering into defence alliances and participating in sanctions.
Photographer: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty ImagesSwitzerland’s parliament rejected a proposal for the government to join a US-led sanctions task force against Russia, saying cooperation with the body as an independent party is sufficient.
The Group of Seven-committee is tasked with freezing and seizing Russian assets that have fallen under sanctions imposed by the European Union and US over the invasion of Ukraine. Switzerland has so far resisted pressure to formally join the task force, saying it’s already in regular contact with the group and cooperation is working well.