Papers sympathise with Swiss sanctions ‘dilemma’ on Russia

In the summer of 2014 Switzerland continued to walk a diplomatic tightrope in the ongoing Ukraine crisis, sticking to its strategy of imposing its own measures on Russia but not signing its name to European Union sanctions.

Swiss newspapers said this wasn’t a simple case of Swiss opportunism.

However, it was announced on the 28 August 2014 that to prevent Russia from skirting international sanctions via Switzerland, the Swiss government had taken additional steps to reflect sanctions imposed by the EU in connection to the Ukraine crisis.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 05.08.14: Switzerland adopts Russia blacklist over Ukraine crisis http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28659402

Switzerland: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs: Representations: Europe: Russia: Bilateral relations: Bilateral relations between Switzerland and the Russian Federation http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps/eur/vrus/bilrus.html

The Local.ch, 26.03.14: Swiss decide against Russian sanctions http://www.thelocal.ch/20140326/swiss-decide-against-imposing-russian-sanctions

RIA Novosti, 28.08.14: Moscow Says Swiss Sanctions Groundless, Contradict Switzerland’s Interests http://en.ria.ru/politics/20140828/192430915/Moscow-Says-Swiss-Sanctions-Groundless-Contradict-Switzerlands.html

Swissinfo.ch, 20.08.14: Swiss dairy exports profit from Russian embargo http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/multimedia/swiss-dairy-exports-profit-from-russian-embargo/40563946

Swissinfo.ch, 28.08.14: Switzerland adopts stricter measures on Russia http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/switzerland-adopts-stricter-measures-on-russia/40575972

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