Switzerland to vote Sunday on stricter neutrality that would block sanctions against Russia
Swiss voters go to the polls on September 27 to decide whether to enshrine a stricter definition of neutrality in the constitution, which would effectively prevent Switzerland from imposing sanctions on Russia without UN Security Council approval. Polls suggest most voters are likely to reject the initiative.
On Sunday, September 27, Swiss voters will decide in a referendum whether to write a stricter, centuries-old definition of neutrality into the constitution. If approved, the measure would effectively block Switzerland from imposing sanctions on Russia unless they were first approved by the UN Security Council, where Moscow holds veto power. The report comes from European Pravda, citing Politico.
A "yes" vote would also rule out military cooperation with alliances such as NATO, except in cases where Switzerland itself came under attack or faced a direct threat. Fabio Wasserfallen, a professor of European politics at the University of Bern, said the vote is not about opposing neutrality itself, which enjoys broad support in Switzerland, but about defining exactly what neutrality means and how strict its limits should be.
Sanctions policy since 2022
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Swiss government has largely mirrored EU sanctions against Moscow, drawing on the flexibility it currently has in interpreting neutrality. That approach has drawn criticism from supporters of a stricter reading of neutrality. Polls conducted this month showed nearly two-thirds of voters oppose the initiative for a tighter definition.
Another neutrality question in November
Even if this weekend's referendum fails, Swiss voters will face another neutrality-related question in November, on whether to ease arms export rules to allow exports to a group of 25 mostly Western countries, even if those countries are involved in an armed conflict. If approved, the change would strengthen Switzerland's ties with Western countries and could boost export revenue for its defense industry.
Earlier, the Swiss government adopted its 2026 Security Policy Strategy, which includes measures already underway to strengthen the country's defense capabilities, including the ability to withstand an armed attack, as well as cooperation with partner states.
