Switzerland enacts new sanctions against Russia

The Swiss Federal Council has imposed new sanctions against Russia as it continues waging the war in Ukraine. 

"In response to Russia's ongoing military aggression against Ukraine and its continued destabilizing actions that undermine Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and security, the EU adopted new measures against Russia on December 16, 2022, as part of a ninth package of sanctions," Anadolu Agency cites the council as saying in a statement.

The statement says the sanctions came into effect at 6 p.m. local time (1700GMT) on January 25, and include bans on services in product testing, advertising, market research, and opinion polling services and new controls and restrictions on the export of various goods.

In addition, the sanctions target dual-use goods, goods for military and technological enhancement, or for the development of the defence and security sector, or goods that contribute to the enhancement of Russian industrial capacity.

The Swiss government is expected to extend the export ban on goods for the aerospace industry to include engines for aircraft and drones. Likewise, Switzerland will ban new investments in the Russian mining sector.

Moreover, the Swiss Federal Council also decided on a new provision regarding the arms embargo.

"Switzerland can now grant exemptions from the arms embargo on demining equipment for use in Ukraine on a case-by-case basis," said the council.

It also added that in issuing the export license, steps will be taken to ensure that the material is used lawfully and for its intended purpose.