Swiss peacekeeping readiness in Ukraine hinges on ceasefire
Switzerland is contemplating the deployment of 200 soldiers to Ukraine if a ceasefire with Russia is achieved, according to Thomas Suessli, the head of the Swiss army.
In an interview with the newspaper "Blick," Suessli stressed that the mission would be peaceful and not a peace-enforcement operation.
Peace mission and Switzerland's neutrality
Suessli clarified that Switzerland will not partake in peace-enforcement operations that necessitate the use of armed force. "Peacekeeping" assumes that both sides of the conflict have agreed to a ceasefire and the presence of UN peacekeeping forces. Currently, however, there is neither peace nor a formal request from the UN to send troops.
Switzerland, despite its neutrality, supports Ukraine both economically and through humanitarian aid, but it does not supply weapons to conflict regions. The deployment of soldiers would aim to maintain the ceasefire, not impose it.
International support for Ukraine
Kyiv and its European allies, including France and the United Kingdom, highlight the need for security guarantees for Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. Dispatching allied troops as part of a peacekeeping mission is one of the factors being considered for these guarantees.
Switzerland, like other nations, is examining the possibility of participating in such a mission, but any decisions will rely on the development of the situation in Ukraine and formal requests from the UN. Presently, the topic remains theoretical, but the readiness to act signifies a clear signal of support for Ukraine.
