Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Google+ The Swiss Federal Council has rejected the export licence for Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine. This was announced by the federal government in Switzerland on Wednesday following a request by Swiss arms company Ruag, Reuters news agency reported. The decision may have implications for previously announced deliveries of tanks by the Dutch government to Ukraine. The Federal Council argues that such a sale violates current Swiss laws. These stipulate that it is not allowed to supply weapons to countries at war. Any change in the law would affect the Swiss neutrality policy, it said. In May, it was announced that the Netherlands wants to buy dozens of Leopard 1 tanks from Swiss company Ruag and then supply them to Ukraine. Earlier, the Swiss parliament rejected a proposal to bypass current regulations, which could still allow the supply of weapons to Ukraine. So far, despite pressure from Kyiv and its allies, Switzerland has consistently refused to allow countries buying Swiss weapons to export them to Ukraine. Switzerland is considered the largest producer of ammunition for Leopard 2 tanks and Gepard armoured vehicles. The defence ministry says it respects Switzerland’s decision and is looking for an alternative. Earlier this month, Minister Kajsa Ollongren (Defence, D66) was cautiously positive about cooperation from the government in Be About the author: Louise RothLouise Roth is the youngest member of WeeklyNewsReview team. Despite the young age Louise is interested in serious topics. Her main interests and education is all about economics and politics. But in our team she is the most productive do-it-all member, so she has to write on a variety of topics.
