Tag: Switzerland

Switzerland's national flag flies behind soldiers of the Swiss Army's 21st Signal Battalion before a ceremony at the medieval Castelgrande castle in Bellinzona, Switzerland.
DEFENCE

Swiss army chief says Switzerland could aid in Ukraine peacekeeping

Switzerland may be able to deploy troops for a future peacekeeping operation in Ukraine, contingent upon a formal request and government approval, according to Swiss armed forces chief Thomas Suessli in an interview released on Sunday. Suessli indicated to the SonntagsBlick newspaper that the country could potentially mobilize approximately 200 soldiers within a timeframe of nine to twelve months. However, he emphasized that any decision … Continue reading Swiss army chief says Switzerland could aid in Ukraine peacekeeping

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DIPLOMACY

American and Russian officials have discussed the Ukraine conflict through a Swiss intermediary

U.S. and Russian representatives have engaged in discreet meetings in Switzerland over the past few months to discuss the Ukraine conflict, with the most recent gathering occurring last week, according to three informed sources. These discussions are characterized as a side channel, with some interactions taking place during the transition period following President Donald Trump’s election victory on November 5. The participants possess diplomatic and … Continue reading American and Russian officials have discussed the Ukraine conflict through a Swiss intermediary

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Rebel fighters pose as they hold a Syrian opposition flag inside the Umayyad Mosque, after rebels seized the capital and ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria.
DISPUTES

Lebanon has repatriated 70 officers and soldiers to Syria, according to a security official

Lebanon has expelled approximately 70 Syrian military personnel on Saturday, returning them to Syria after they illegally entered the country through unofficial routes, according to a Lebanese security official and a war monitoring group. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8, many high-ranking Syrian officials and associates of the former ruling family sought refuge in neighboring Lebanon. The Syrian Observatory for Human … Continue reading Lebanon has repatriated 70 officers and soldiers to Syria, according to a security official

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Russian President Vladimir Putin and then-US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan, June 28, 2019.
DIPLOMACY

Kremlin officials say several countries are ready to facilitate talks between Putin and Trump

Several  nations have expressed their willingness to facilitate discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President-elect Donald Trump, according to Yury Ushakov, an aide to Kremlin. During a press conference on Monday, Ushakov was inquired about whether Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico had proposed to host a meeting between the leaders of the two nuclear powers. “We have … Continue reading Kremlin officials say several countries are ready to facilitate talks between Putin and Trump

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DISPUTES

Switzerland implements additional EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus

Switzerland has implemented the latest sanctions package from the European Union targeting Russia and Belarus, as announced by the government on Monday. This decision follows the EU’s recent actions against Moscow’s vessels and Chinese entities involved in trade with the Russian military. The Swiss authorities have identified 54 individuals and 30 companies and organizations, freezing their assets effective December 24, and prohibiting 52 ships from … Continue reading Switzerland implements additional EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus

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Bunk beds are seen in the atomic shelter underneath the civil protection building in Gollion, Switzerland.
DEFENCE

Switzerland is set to upgrade its network of nuclear bunkers that dates back to the Cold War

Switzerland is planning to modernize its aging network of nuclear shelters, which have gained renewed importance amid rising global uncertainties, particularly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. A law enacted in 1963 places Switzerland ahead of neighboring countries like Germany, ensuring that all 9 million residents, including foreigners and refugees, have access to a bunker for protection against bombs and nuclear fallout. Louis-Henri Delarageaz, the civil … Continue reading Switzerland is set to upgrade its network of nuclear bunkers that dates back to the Cold War

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
DISPUTES

Italy seeks to prevent the arrest warrant for Netanyahu, according to reports

Italy is advocating for the suspension of the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as reported by Italian media outlets. As a signatory to the Rome Statute, Italy is obligated to comply with ICC rulings. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani is said to have proposed this initiative during a G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting held in Italy, which … Continue reading Italy seeks to prevent the arrest warrant for Netanyahu, according to reports

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Ukrainian investigators found evidence that crucial components used in the North Korean missiles are produced by at least nine Western manufacturers.
DISPUTES

Ukraine is seeing more assaults with North Korean missiles using Western components

Ukraine is experiencing a significant increase in Russian ballistic missile strikes, with approximately one-third of these attacks utilizing North Korean missiles that rely on Western circuitry for operation, which has been acquired despite existing sanctions, as reported by Ukrainian military officials. This year, Russia has launched around 60 KN-23 missiles from North Korea against Ukraine, according to a Ukrainian defense representative. This figure represents nearly … Continue reading Ukraine is seeing more assaults with North Korean missiles using Western components

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Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov.
DISPUTES

Russia announces measures in response to the Western confiscation of its assets

Russia is set to implement retaliatory actions that correspond to the West’s seizure of the nation’s sovereign assets, according to Finance Minister Anton Siluanov. In a recent interview with Rossiya-1 TV, Siluanov indicated that Russia plans to utilize the income generated from the frozen assets of Western investors. He emphasized that these measures are a direct response to the unfriendly actions taken by Western nations. … Continue reading Russia announces measures in response to the Western confiscation of its assets

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The United Nations Security Council meets on the escalation in fighting in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah during the United Nations General Assembly at U.N. headquarters in New York.
DIPLOMACY

U.S. has blocked a UN Security Council resolution for a Gaza ceasefire

The United States exercised its veto power on Wednesday against a U.N. Security Council resolution proposing a ceasefire in Gaza, prompting criticism of the Biden administration for obstructing international efforts to end Israel’s conflict with Hamas. The resolution, introduced by ten non-permanent members of the 15-member council, called for an “immediate, unconditional, and permanent ceasefire” in the ongoing 13-month conflict and included a separate demand … Continue reading U.S. has blocked a UN Security Council resolution for a Gaza ceasefire

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