Putin's Forcing Switzerland to Take a Side - TLDR News
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Switzerland is about the most neutral country in the world, choosing not to take a side in either world war... or any other conflict for that matter. However, opinion in Switzerland is shifting, and it seems that Putin may be forcing them to pick a side
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Putin truly revolutionised NATO and EU politics
@The Philosoraptor imagine Switzerland joining NATO, doubt it though because they are protected by everyone else.
More like U.S. use of their economic influence to force countries into a camp.
Over a threat that is
@@lc9245 Sure, and Putin was just defending Russia from Evil Nazi Ukraine that was poised to invade with NATO armaments on every infantryman.
@@A.Martin Not by every neighbour. Austria is neutral by constitution.
A podcast the other day with someone from the Swiss Government said that Switzerland is militarily, not politically neutral. This seems reasonably consistent with their actions.
summed up well, otherwise id have to laugh and call it a novelty.
Yea, that the huge missunderstanding about "neutral" Sweden aswell.
Exactly
@@Dinstyvmorsa8539 Finland was pretty much in the same boat. Good practice for troll spotting.
what podcast was that?
You know you screwed up when you can make Switzerland question it's own neutrality.
Wish
Casting
As a Swiss, Switzerland screwed up by giving up our neutrality
@@JP-ze3dt I swear, they lost their trust
@@JP-ze3dt Switzerland's neutrality only works well because all countries around are friendly. just like for austria. If CH was bordering Russia, belarus or any other authoritarian country around the world(china, NK), the neutrality would be short lived.
@@dagoncalves1986 Worked well for hundreds of years though...
4:36 here to reminds everyone that Geneva is not the capital of Switzerland as his statement seems to imply (“Geneva forbids the shipment of weapons”).
In fact, fun fact, de juro (by law) Switzerland has no capital and all cantons (the states forming the federation) are equal, this is also why the federal council has seven members (all from different cantons) with equal powers and the president is just one of them “with extra flavour for international relationships”. However because the parliament is located in Bern, Bern is considered the capital de facto. But definitely not Geneva😂
Thank you. I live to learn.
Geneva isn't the capital, but of course most of the world HQ are there
Geneva may not be the capital of Switzerland. But it might be somewhat close to being the capital of the world.
@@Tjalve70 Davos disagrees.
bro shut up you're actually the nerd emoji
You know you are on the wrong side of history when even Switzerland chooses a side and it's the opposing one.
Well we had the choice to sanction or be sactioned as well ... We had nothing to gain and so much to loose ;)
Nazi Germany would be relieved to hear that lol
The Swiss helped the Nazi.
@@Belliger1991 and who was going to sanction you?
@@geoffreycharles6330 the west would have if they thought Russia was evading sanctions via switzerland
It'll be interesting to see how the Swiss agree to define their neutrality. With their recent sanctions and strong public support for Ukraine, I believe that Switzerland will begin to make a slow turn towards working with NATO and EU countries. Unlike Finland however, Switzerland doesn't directly border a violent nondemocratic country and has no reason to make drastic changes in the immediate future.
+ even if it did border someone, Switzerland is probably the best natural fortress in the world, so at least Russia would have zero chances to conquer it.
Well it depends the diplomatic force of the EU to convince the swiss to step in line is hostile at times^^
the swiss have already been doing this, they have been "flirting" with nato/eu for a while now.
@@hussain7675 i honestly would not call our onesided relationship fliting ^^ we have barly any bargening power we try to give as little as possible and this consessioons to stay independent might look like a flirt from the outside ^^
@@Belliger1991 you are rignht but for some time now you the swiss (I assume you are a swiss national) have only flirted with one side. If you want to be a player and undependent/unrelient on one side, you have to flirt with multiple sides. You have only flirted with russia a little, no china and no india. On tinder you dont match 1 person and you expect that to be the only one, you match with a few and talk to all of them a little.😅
As a Swiss citizen I feel that there might be two types of neutrality. One is the obvious one, the military neutrality. We won't go to war, but if you come and attack us, we'll give you something to chew on. We won't participate in a war by sending weapons or troops. Also sending ammunition to a country like Germany, that will send it to a country at war is already a tricky one too. The other side is the political neutrality. There I believe not acting is also a form of breaching our neutrality. We can't just watch and not help, humanitarian aid and sanctions are necessary and in my opinion non negotiable. Letting a warmonger bring his money into Switzerland is something we should not do again, we should've learned this lesson by now.
Neutrality isn't a good thing.
@@jeffmorris5802 neutrality is a diplomatic tool when hostile powers can meet in a place open exactly for this purpose where none of the powers have a negative history towards the neutral host and vice versa. During the cold war the Swiss neutrality was more often than not host for exactly this purpose. I see no reason why the Swiss should give up their neutrality. When wars are ending and peace talks are near we can host these events with no bad feelings for any side.
@@dasmouse2557 ... Why the f*** should we cater to Russia? Ukraine is the victim here.
@@jeffmorris5802 If by 'victim' you mean who drew first blood, I think you're right.
If the Swiss help to feed the flames of war by shipping weapons to either side they no longer remain neutral. I'm not sure if the Swiss could afford destabilizing that in the long run. Once again, wars end, peace talks commence. The way we conduct ourselves in war can helps to determines how quickly everyone involved returns to a normal way of life without war.
I'm not Swiss citizen. IMO sending military or financial aid, or even humanitarian aid *exclusively* to one side is NOT neutral.
Remember that it is not enough for you to declare yourself to be "neutral", because you need others to acknowledge and accept your neutrality as well.
In this case, Russia/Putin's regime is clearly the one who instigated the war, therefore you have moral and legal justification to sanction Russia/Putin's regime. However doing that means you are *no longer being neutral.*
Right now, you are *actively harming* Russian interest while Russia did nothing to you (at least directly).
You are *meddling* in other countries affairs in the name of "international law", something Russia clearly does not acknowledge or adhere to. Again, that's NOT neutral.
That being said, IMO if majority of Swiss citizens no longer desire this "neutrality" then the govt/state should just abandon it.
As an American, never thought of how difficult it was to be neutral.
The desire to help must be overcome by the temperance of maintaining one's resolve to be neutral.
Yeah, it's tough I would imagine. Being a superpower you create a side, the smaller countries have to choose between the sides the bigger countries create, or risk staying neutral and hoping.
Its a little more complicated than that. its not just the desire to help. Non-action is still an action. This is the argument the Swiss are making when they provide relief to Ukraine. They are upholding the 'neutral democratic order' rather than standing by on the sidelines and enabling, and thus defacto siding with, tyranny.
And, at the end of the day, everyone in the world will do everything in their power to make your choices a binary and force you into their corner.
The United is the least neutral country in the world. 🏳
Saying 'no' to the US is a risky proposition.
and there’s the US style of neutral
sell stuff and when they attack
you make them regret
As a Swiss I can only say that I am proud of my country's neutrality. I think it is safe to say that most Swiss people support the idea that our country should not actively participate (by deploying our militia army) in armed conflicts that do not directly threaten us. Nevertheless, being neutral does not mean not having an opinion. Switzerland is a democratic state under the rule of law. Those who allow themselves to do what they want and impose their will using weapons cannot and must not be supported in any way. By not acting, Switzerland would in fact be taking the side of the aggressor of Ukraine and international law. We did take part in the sanctions, but not because NATO or the EU told us we had to. We did it because we believe that respect for international law is what guarantees world peace. Where law is trampled underfoot, the law of the strongest prevails.
likewise for Singapore's stance on Ukraine issue. just hope the other tiger ain't gonna try to kick a fuss right now... (not that they can even afford to right now with the hell on earth in shanghai, they are more cat right now than tiger...)
All very nice. But, Switzerland is either truly neutral, or it is not. Switzerland cannot impose sanctions on Russia all the while labouring the tedious point to the world that they are still neutral. As any woman would tell you, you cannot be a little bit pregnant.
@@user-kc1tf7zm3b did you just compare supporting a war with being pregnant?
You can only be neutral because you are surrounded ny Nato members!! You "neutrality narrative" is a cheap way to exploit your geographical position surrounded by Nato states (=safety) and not having to pay for this extra safety!
So 8 years of signed Minsk agreements violated by Ukraine are not a problem for international law? 🧐🤔
Switzerland doesn't need NATO membership, since they are surrounded by NATO member and don't have any imminent threat
Great video! As a Swiss person I’m so used to non-Swiss people getting tons of stuff wrong when they cover anything about Switzerland, so this was a very nice surprise!
Also I know that Ignazio Cassis is the Swiss president at the moment but it’s always weird to hear that because ‘president’ is a mostly a ceremonial/symbolic role, and most people here really don’t care about it. I’d even wager that about 60% of people wouldn’t be able to even tell you who the current Swiss president is.
But he made Geneva our capital ;)
@@DerTaran did he
Thanks for a excellent report. I'd add two additional points. 1. Switzerland is an international banking center. Many of the sanctions on Russia involved banking. Not participating in them would have put the Swiss at odds with world banking. 2. Modern war is far more complicated than it was when it merely meant soldiers with rifles and cannons. Encrypted communications systems must work together. Aircraft must identify themselves as friendly. Countries that may end up fighting a common foe must prepare to do so well in advance.
Sometimes neutrality is standing next to someone stabbing someone else to death and choosing to do nothing.
Sometimes neutrality is stopping the stabbing.
Or standing standing next to someone baking someone and offering the baker access to your banking services and etc.
True. But be careful that people don’t think you’re the one doing the stabbing.
@@lagseeing8341 oh my god
If you're intervening and stopping the killing, that's not neutral.
But think of the conundrum as follows. You're a knife seller, and all the butchers around love your products and depend on it. But serial killers also love your knives.
It is not neutral to stop selling the knives to the serial killers, since you've taken a stance against them, but also, you don't want to sell to serial killers.
The first option is definitely more "ethical", but who decides who to sell or not, if this was a company and you have investors?
The second definition is in my opinion the definition of neutrality, but it has an ethical dilemma which may not allow you to sleep at night, but it is great for business.
Suppose then one of the knives were found near a body, and now the butchers don't want to buy from you since they think you are providing service to the killer, and they don't want to associate themselves with you, then what to do, how to convince the shareholders that you have their best interest in not staying neutral, (since now you're taking sides).
Countries are like businesses, and neutrality was a business decision made by Switzerland years ago. If that decision is not good for the business and financials of the country, then it may as well change it.
Yea no taking side is not neutrality
Thanks for sharing such wonderful content with your audience. It is very interesting stuff. I appreciate all the work put into it. Sincere thanks!
Always interesting content. Thank you!
As a Swiss, I must say that you did an excellent job in putting together all this accurate information in less than 10 minutes of video. Kudos!
true, apart from the tiny misrepresentation at 4:41 - if one would want to pinpoint a national decision to a city, that would be Bern ;)
@@Bean86 He was talking about the Geneva Convention, not about the City of Geneva.
But that still is a small mistake, cause the rules for neutral countries were defined by the Hague Convention, not by the Geneva convention.
Left our Swiss Miss instant cocoa with mini marshmallows.. Sorry..I get stuck on old stupid commercials every now and then.
@@nirutivan9811 I don't think so. He used the wording "through *its* territory" [emphasis mine]. That wouldn't make sense if "it" in that sentence referred to a convention.
@@nirutivan9811 That is correct. The Geneva Convention concerns warfare and is based on the rules suggested by Islam's prophet Muhammad 1400 years ago on how to proceed in a war.
Thank you. Edifying. Excellent presentation.
Swiss policy is to stay out, but join in if it's useful.
Switzerland is economically linked to neighboring countries, but always insists on its independence.
Switzerland stays out militarily, but speaks out in favor of Ukraine.
The Swiss don't have much incentive to join Nato or the EU. They are surrounded by non-aggressive countries, so they are pretty safe from people like Putin.
Military service is only mandatory if you have a Swiss passport. There are a lot of foreigners in Switzerland 🇨🇭
foreigners pay extra taxes instead :(
I always remember the saying:
Switzerland has no army. Switzerland is an army!
Just to show how armed Swiss are.
People forget that Switzerland put similar sanctions on other nations like Iran and N Korea, yet nobody saw that as breaking Neutrality (looking at you, SVP / Swiss Peoples Party). Also, we clearly took a side in the cold war by not throwing over capitalism and becoming communists.
No business interest by the SVP Oligarchs in those places. They always redefine anything to serve their current short term interests.
@@beyondEV unfortunately, I agree
It's different, those sanction where implemented by the UN, but Russia won't sanction themselves 😉
Beautifully put🙌
The definition of neutrality isn't being stretched, it's evolving/maturing - as the world becomes more complicated, so neutrality develops nuances and subtleties - just as you need a strong army to safe-guard peace, you need to uphold international law against tyrants to ensure the kind of balance and lawfulness that enables you the luxury of remaining neutral.
What utter nonsense you write. Is the kind of ferryail our Mr. Cassis is telling himself to cover up the fuckup he and his administration committed. What an achievement to be named by Russia as Nr. 3 in the ranking of "unfriendly" states. Our Executives should be charged with treason.
Just a question as proof of theory (...you need to uphold international law against...)
Has the Maduro regime - esp. individuals - been sanctioned by Switzerland? There is very strong evidence that the "cartel de Los soles" is in control of a huge part of int. drug trafficking and money laundering. Furthermore, to my knowledge, CH didn't even implement the EU - Sanctions implemented on (police)support gear and Telcom against Venezuela.
Why would they? Its our nonsense not theirs. We are the ones killing and shooting, they are ok there being civilized and rich.
Why do you want to ruin it for the only country that has it figured out? Why can not one country be happy and left alone?
@@stipebalenovic6497 they arent intervening militarily they are giving aid and siding with ukraine for humanitarian reasons. it might be other people's problems but those are still real people who are suffering near switcherland
@@imnotnotgameiacmaniac5327 Cool, hopefully it wont go further than that, because this video is pushing disgusting integration with our dumb ways. Send some food to civilians, both Russian and Ukranian, and be done with it.
@@stipebalenovic6497 They are only able to be Neutral because of the surrounding countries are not neutral. The same goes for Austria and Ireland.
They all certainly have figured out how to keep their cash and be safe.
Bern is the capital of Switzerland, not Geneva as implied in a statement this video.
I like how everyone thinks we are "neutral" by us self, while we have been forced to.
by who?
@L C France, Austria, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain, the UK, after napoleon. Switzerland ist just a big Bufferzone.
Switzerland always wanted to be neutral, that's why Nicolaus von der Flue is our national hero and patron saint. In 1815, it was simply accepted by all other nations.
@@koantao8321 You think too romantic, he was just one person among many. We were mercenaries and often butchered each other until we earned a reputation as elite soldiers. Even in World War II we were only "neutral" in self-defense. We smuggled in Jews and fought the Allies and Nazis at the same time. Because of the border or because they confused Germany with Switzerland. Russia is not our neighbor, so fuck false neutrality. We all want Putins end.
The first definition was by us - as mentioned in the video after the defeat of Marigniano in (which ended with an orderly retreat). Switzerland stated to stay away from foreign meddelings (fremde Händel). This neutrality and independence was then internationally recognized in 1648 with the peace of Westphalia.
And with the exception some infringements of Grisons and the puppet government of 1799-1806 it stayed that way.
Great video!
Actually a very important step to define Swiss neutrality was the Munster Treaty part of the Peace of Westphalia, maybe more important than the decisions following the Battle of Marignano of 1515.
1815 if I am correct. Could be wrong though.
@@comancheflyer4903 the Battle of Marignano was in 1515.
The peace of Wetphalia is of 1648.
So happy to see someone welse readig history books. ;-)
@@fluffybunny5518 actually I am Swiss and was part of the organisation for the commemoration off the 500 years of Marignano in 2015.
@@Braun30 Nice. I've seen a short report on the Marignano commemoration on SRF.
It is just nice someone mentioning the Munster Treaty / Peace of Westphalia to show that the path to neutrality was a gradual step over centuries. For me personally the 1907 Hague Conventions is actually the "big step" turning neutrality into something a little bit more tangible from an international law standpoint. Not sure what your view is on this.
A lot of people from the outside (including in the rest of Europe) don't fully understand Switzerland's flavor of neutrality. Switzerland is what I would call aggressively neutral. They were just as likely to shoot down American planes encroaching their airspace as German ones during WWII. And honestly, I totally understand it. They have to remain consistent in their neutrality, otherwise it isn't neutral. However, this has only ever really applied militarily, not politically.
I actually fear losing the neutral states like Switzerland and Austria, as they have been vital to facilitating cooperation across opposing forces, even beyond Europe. These countries are incredibly valuable to global cooperation, and while I understand the urge to get absolutely everyone against Russia, I still think we should strive to keep these forums in the form of neutral states.
From a Swiss side, it is officially called "Armed Neutrality".
As a Swiss myself, I can't understand why so many people here think that Switzerland must stay neutral for the rest of its existence. I support neutrality to a certain degree, because I believe the world will become a more peaceful place the more countries just mind their own business. But when there is a new evil rising up and bringing death and destruction up on the planet, every good reason to stay neutral is gone. In both WW1 and WW2, neutrality was necessary for Switzerland to survive. Today, its not. Today, the more neutral we are, the more innocent people die and the more likely war will spread to other nations in the future. Neutrality should never be an excuse to do nothing against inhumanity.
we stayed neutral on all the illegal criminal wars of the US with a far higher deathtoll by nato and the US. frankly we def should. our country can do more good by providing a platform for talks and diplomacy than turkey taking that spot for crying out loud. if you want to take the stance you do we should take an equally absolutist stance everytime the US does things like this. (right now saudi arabia with the help of the US already killed half a million yemenis and is starving 20 million of them)
do you support sanctioning the US next time they refuse to put warcriminals on trial or invades a nation without a un mandate, and sending weapons to the groups fighting them? if you do im with you and we can do the same now. if not I call hypocrisy
The left actually hate Russians with a passion that they would do anything to punish Russia than negotiate with them.
As a neutral country, we can send humanitarian aid and try to act as mediators.
If we pick sides, we only paint a target on our own backs and nobody is helped.
If the bigger powers want to bomb each other, they can very well do it without us.
@@avci7361 now thats just hypocritical too. look at a friggin map. switzerland was surrounded by germany, italy, vichy france, and austria. right after the war started since france fell faster than anyone can blink. its kind of hard as a landlocked nation in the middle of the axis. Hitler stated his opinion on Switzerland quite plainly: "Switzerland possesses the most disgusting and miserable people and political system. The Swiss are the mortal enemies of the new Germany."
3:44 - I see your tennis pun about serving in the military there Jack :P
Invading Switzerland would be like eating a poison dart frog. They might look harmless but they are armed to the teeth.
We still need a super neutral country... I kinda want Switzerland to stay neutral, even though I'm VERY pro NATO.
probably some Southern country can be super neutral since they far away from EU
They should consider the EU I think, but ya, idm if Switzerland doesn't join NATO and I'm pretty pro NATO too.
Topography helps Austria & Switzerland maintain neutrality
@@Camelotsmoon doubt EU will be something we Swiss will want to join.
You need a place to talk peace
This feels similar to the that saying (paraphrased):
To be a tolerant society, you must be intolerant of intolerance.
Which feels paradoxical.
As other have said military neutrality has to be seperated from the idea of political neutrality... and I don't think the Swiss have really ever suggested they want to be politically neutral. They seem well aware that they need to take sides in order to ensure the 'laws based international system' is protected. But I find it fascinating how this global crisis will define, and shape things for many decades to come even after its eventually 'sorted'.....
Thanks for uploading this. I know nearly nothing about Swiss politics so this was very interesting to watch.
As always, your analysis is very profound and unbiased - thank you for that from a swiss citizen living in the EU!
A couple corrections:
4:40 "Geneva continues to forbid direct shipment of arms to warzones from or through its territory." Geneva is not the capital of Switzerland, Bern is.
There are many international organisations with their seats in Geneva, but those are not Swiss organisations, theu just have their seat in Geneva. The Swiss Federal Government is in Bern.
7:56 "Most of the time, Neutrality just means not going to war." No, it doesn't. Most of the time, Neutrality means just not taking sides in others' conflicts; and that's not even just for the Swiss.
Now, depending on the case at hand, you might take it as Neutrality in military conflicts only, or in a broader range of types of conflicts. Swiss neutrality has been firmly set in staying out of military conflicts mainly. And I believe the current Swiss government to be neutral in the face of internacional law is a correct attitude.
Now, apart from the neutrality, the Swiss have also been peaceful, for longer than our neighbours, The confusion between Swiss neutrality and Swiss peacefulness may come from here, but they are still two different things, even if Switzerland embraces both.
Finally, Peacefulness and Pacifism are not the same! Simply put: Peacefulness mean you do not start a war (or in broader sense, any fight), Pacifism means you do not fight back, even if attacked. Switzerand has been Neutral and Peaceful for a long time, but not Pacifist.
Switzerland started out joining the sanctions, but unfroze some Russian money because it wasn't legal to keep it frozen.
As the war drags on, Switzerland will not be more likely to freeze Russian accounts.
1:37 Minor goof here: The Congress of Vienna actually started before Waterloo, after Napoleon's defeat in the War of the Sixth Coalition forced Napoleon into exile on Elba. The Congress of Vienna began in September 1814, and Waterloo wasn't until June 1815, a few days after the delegates in Vienna signed the final peace settlement.
I doubt that Switzerland is unique for having enough nuclear safe bunkers for all its population. I believe that *Finland* as well have these bunkers for all its population, there should be about 54.000 of them spread all over the country.
Switzerland 's banking success depends on the country's neutrality. Removing neutrality means losing the much valued preference for their banking
Successfully thrashed by the Swiss Government by Feb. 24. 2022
Russia isn't worth the effort and opprobrium.
Only thing missing now is a video on the massive impact of Liechtenstein possibly joining NATO??
It will be so over for China and Russia bros
Switzerland would have to preemptively occupy Liechtenstein for its own security.😁
I think it would be even better if the Vatican joined NATO.
4:22. Finland mandate shelters also ;)
Excellent - thanks TLDR :))
Switzerland 🇨🇭 isn’t trustworthy as a neutral state, contributing their resources including unsanctioned quantities of financial possessions, mostly from Western-based offshore banks avoiding scrutinies, can the people trust their governments?
As many Swiss are opposed to joining NATO as the proportion of Austrians are, but that's actually significant since Switzerland has been neutral longer than they have, so that many people wanting to pick a side is still a lot by comparison.
Great video but a quick remark in 4:40 you should say bern and not geneva as the former is the capital
Addendum...
1) Military Service
There is compulsory service for all males 18+ for a specified time (depending on rank). However if you don't want to serve in the military you can do civil service, which is about 1.5 times longer. If you can't serve you will have to pay something like 3% of your salary. So not necessarily every male in Switzerland has gone through the basics military training.
2) Service Guns
a) You are not expected anymore to take your service weapon home between duty. If you want, you can give it to the army arsenal for professional storage. Also they stopped giving out the mobilization ammo cans (although if someone wanted, buying privately ammo isn't difficult). In short not every Swiss conscripted male is armed with an assault rifle at home let alone a loaded one.
b) There are conditions after having done service in order to keep your service weapon after your service finishes. I've seen some fluctuating numbers between years but somewhere between 10-25% of the service man keep their weapon.
c) The high rate of gun owner ship does not come necessarily from service gun ownership. Gun ownership is relatively lax in Switzerland compared to other EU countries. However it is not the total freedom gun paradise the American NRA likes to incorrectly state. You need a permit, have to report your gun, you need to fulfil conditions and there are restrictions on the type of weapons. You can't just buy a full auto assault rifle nilly-willy in a superstore like in the US. There are more rules then fitting into a TH-cam comment. Google it.
3) Bunkers
Correct, the laws where relaxed in 2012, but only for one-family houses. If you have such a house and don't build a bunker you will have to pay the community something like CHF 400 to 800 per needed protection space i.e. the community ensures this way that the big civil bunkers have sufficient space. Despite of that there is a trend to let the community build it for cost effectiveness i.e. buildings with a higher room count (something like 40) have their own shelters, but otherwise newer houses tend to have a community shelter linked to it.
NEWSFLASH: Switzerland was NEVER "Neutral"
Here is a Simplification: "Your Business is Welcome, your Morals are NOT, Welcome to Switzerland!"
if we can make Money, we will. If its profitable to take a side, we will. If taking a side will impact our Bottom line, we will not
?
@@schulerlukas2720 It is no coincidence that REPORTING on Banking scandals have become a punishable crime in Switzerland.
I don‘t really think that switzerland ever had an expansionist policy. Source: I‘m swiss and read our extensive history books.
I swear the transition from video to ad at the end of each video is getting slicker, sometimes I don't even realise until I see you changed outfit 🤣
It seems Europe has finally caught up to Switzerland's ideals of Peace. Maybe this is what Switzerland has been waiting for all this time?
How exactly would Russia manage to invade Switzerland without violating NATO?
Putin poker ♣️ hand is dwindling he is the Ass in the 🕳🦹🏿💰😎👽⚰️👺👮👮
bravo, well summarized!
Despite recent events, I don't see Switzerland joining EU or NATO in the next 20 years. Neutrality is deeply ingrained in this country's DNA.
Not to mention the banking system!
your dna is gonna be gone in 20 years
4:42 you said Geneva using it as representative of all of Switzerland like London is to the UK. But Geneva isn't the capital of Switzerland, Bern is
6:47 interesting, so we're talking about following in Finland's footsteps 😉
Giant shout-out to Putin for his short-sighted, pointless arrogance. He's single-handedly made NATO great again. Glory to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. A moment of destiny that will be remembered for all time. Long live the fighters!
soon ukr will vanish from maps.
@@siamcharm7904 Uh huh😂 Remember when Russia tried to take Kyiv and failed miserably?
Thanks to western arming and full mobilization Ukraine is only getting stronger. If Russia wants to even hold the gains they’ve made they’ll need to fully mobilize and call up the reserves, yet they haven’t
You mean got suckered by Merica bidding
Switzerland in WW II: "Hello shouty guys, we don´t need to know where you got that gold from."
Switzerland in the Cold War, when the SU intervened in and invaded in a number of countries: "Would you like an incognito bank account?"
Switherland when Russia invades Ukraine: "How dare you! Bring on the sanctions!"
That's mean WW 3 ald started
Yep. The EU and US coerced Switzerland to give up its neutrality.
Austria also has (or at least had) the law that every house must be build with a basic fallout shelter
fascinating about the philosophy of neutrality
2 things missing:
1. The Swiss reaction to the US invasion of Iraq, including: protests, sanctions, travel bans, asset freezes tec
2. The reaction of Moscow and indeed Beijing, New Delhi and a slew of other countries (none of which are part of the West mind you) to this. it is all well and good the Swiss claiming neutrality, but does the rest of the world believe it? And just so we are clear by 'rest of the world' I don't mean places like Japan, South korea, taiwan, the EU, US or NATO members. For 2. it is the opinion of Iran, Pakistan, India, Saudia Arabia, the African Union etc who matters
The important aspect here is which side will Switzerland be neutral towards.
Easy to reply - D'Schwiitzer will always favor democracy over tyranny on the military aspect. Economically, Switzerland sides with .... with everyone haha^^ Culturally, we're open to everyone.
But we need to be the first nation in Europe to legalize marijuana, demonstrating to other EU nations that it can be done!
@@olivergarcia2304
As long as an odour free maryjane is developed.
Can't stand the smell. Im a farmer in Australia so not relevant. Go for it 😄
4:41 The government building and capital of Switzerland is Bern not Geneva
I mean technically Bern isn't the capital either, as there is no official capital, but you're certainly right in a practical sense.
Next will be "can Putin force aliens to reveal their nature even without forcing them to leave the Vatican?"
I like the northern line style of the history of The Swiss
official name of the Irish state is 'Ireland', 'Republic of Ireland' is for sports where Northern Ireland field a different team. One of the most common mistakes, a bit like referring to the USA as 'America'
8:48 That editing though! /)
quote> Take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.
Elie Wiesel
As a Swiss, i think distancing ourselves from neutrality is a big mistake. I mean we had like 172 years of peace, thanks to neutrality.
And 172 years ago was a Civil War with less victims than the Ukraine war has in a day.
Yes, and Switzerland sold supplies and ammo to the Nazis as late as 1944...
@@theotherohlourdespadua1131 yes also today Switzerland sells ammo and supplies to Germany.
As a Swiss, I totally agree with you.
But we need legalize weed! Urgently!!!
@@florianmaier104 Switzerland also has a much lower population than Ukraine.
I think you might be able to build a definition of neutrality in such a manner that you can remain some how neutral but still sanctioning those who choose not to obey to basic rules which are required to protect neutrality in the first place…
Why would the Swiss join NATO? They essentially enjoy NATO protection in a country that's difficult to invade because of its geography, without any of the costs, risks, or stipulations.
Also, 4:45 "Geneva continues to forbid arms shipments to warzones", I assume you meant the capital city Bern?
I really have to wonder how neutral anyone can be when they've been forced by other powers to be neutral..or when other nations decide for you..
There is no neutrality in the case of dictatorship attacking to another country. All countries or people, who are trying not to take a stance, take it, like those people, who are watching bullying and do nothing to help. They are enablers, not neutral.
Neutrality is like abstaining from a vote, sometimes even remaining neutral means you're de facto picking a side
Why does Geneva forbid the shipment of arms?
Normally that's a phrase used with the capital of a state, which, in this case, would be Bern.
Austria would make a better Nato candidate at the very least.
Switzerland should stay true to it's core values. It shouldn't bend over at the pressure from everyone else. Their independence and ability to think for themselves is what gives them power.
The Banks and people who keep it FREE IS THE SOURCE OF ITS POWER. NATO keeps them free and alive
They didn't choose to be neutrals, it was forced upon them. Choosing to change that IS them thinking for themselves
@@talltroll7092 No, that's them succumbing to the pressure of external nations. Switzerland views neutrality and a capability of self-defense as part of their identity. They stay out of conflicts and make money. If they "should" do something to benefit someone else, then they are not thinking for themselves.
@@talltroll7092 IS IT TRUE, that they did it to help, or to be loyal, to Finland?
@@prim16 they do
No
Impossible.
Not related to the video, but Switzerland is still the most beautiful country I’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting, with lovely people overall. I miss it, especially Luzern/Lucerne 🙂
😘 Greetings from Montreux, Switzerland
@@oligator1er Thank you, and greetings as well 🙂 And I must add, I just looked up Montreux, out of curiosity after your comment, and must honestly say, even knowing the beauty of your country, I was floored and speechless! Even as a silly American, I hope to visit your country again someday, and hold both it and your people in the highest regards and respect. Montreux is now near or at the top of my list...if you all will have me as a guest/tourist again 😅 simply stunning 🙂 Best wishes
"Why can't we keep your money safe and everyone elses? We did it for the Nazi's no problem." -Switzerland
"Sanctions again Russia is not picking a side, it is a neutral defense of international law." Brilliant!
There's no such thing as neutrality in this world. If push came to shove I've no doubt which side Switzerland would fall on. Same goes for Ireland.
Thank you for an excellent video, explaining Switzerland's Neutrality history and our current challenges with Neutrality very well. The Ukraine war will require us to "re-define" Neutrality. It is high time to do this and it should be a process that will take some time and needs to involve - like in many other political and societal key decisions - the involvement of the Swiss population.
Swizz developed their neutral stance in a time where Europe were constantly torn by wars, and being neutral was both a strategic and a moral stance to take. That's not the situation anymore. It's not benefitial strategically to be a neutral island when all your neighbours are allies, and it's no longer a moral stance either when not taking a side often means not being willing to fight for human rights or democracy. Switzerland is stuck in neutrality due to their identity as a neutral country more than anything else. To me, that's just not a very impressive stance.
Nonsense. It works very very well for them. Why join in with lesser nations in mud slinging we do over here?
Were they allies with Fascist Italy, Germany, Vichy France, Republic of Italy, Republic of France and modern Germany? No. Lets join in wars, how noble of us - this is not the Swiss way.
Europe was torn in wars and you seem to hate the fact Switzerland did not bleed like the rest of us. Misery likes company I guess. If anything I would copy THEM not do stuff WE do.
@@stipebalenovic6497 You don't get it. This has nothing to do with WW2 or modern warfare. You can build friendship and alliances without going to war.
@@Nabium Ok, why should not they be friends with everyone then? Because we say so?
@@Nabium Transfer Switzerland to next to Russia........
Swiss neutrality was born as a buffer state between eastern and western europe after the napoleonic wars, in a time where it was in the interest of the great powers to balance the situation in Europe in order to avoid great wars like the Napoleonic wars, as they were devastating both in human lives and resources. It had nothing to do with a deliberate strategic and moral decision of the swiss. This need for a buffer state remained during the first and second world wars. Swiss neutrality is being morphed because the reality is different. Switzerland is completely aligned with the west in all but name. The great power blocks have changed and neutrality is no longer beneficial. And while Switzerland's neutrality was kept and respected in the past, which kept peace in europe for 100 years before the Great War, Ukraine's neutrality as a buffer state was not respected and has been challenged by both Russia and the West for decades until tensions led to war. Let it be a lesson on the importance of neutrality.
1:28 The Congress of Vienna had already started before the 100 days and Waterloo.
I suspect the Swiss have been told informally they will be a party in the sanctions, it's just up to them which side of the sanctions they want to be on.
I will be very honest this is a very deciving titel/video, switzerland has already picked sides and did not take the neutral route because they joined the eu and nato with its own sanction/freezing of accounts of russian oligarchs (as you said). True neutrality would have been to leave them be (the oligarchs) so putin is not really doing something out of order, eu/nato has slowely been getting closer to switzerland... so no it is not putin, just like with sweden and finland, they are using this as a front. All those countries have been "flirting" with the eu/ nato for decades they are just using this as areason to convince their populations.
Defence;
Also when it comes to defence literature switzerland is a natural fotress, thats how it has been characterised for centuries now, even historically when Switzerland was just a bunch of towns the french could not get to them (this is way before napoleon), then when the french defeated them, french had heavy loses and also the swiss were always known for their bravery on the battlefield/ fighting skills. The fanlax formations of back in the day were swiss, infact mercenaries from modern day switzerland where rented out even sometimes by opposing armies because of how effective they where agaisnt the knights and finally this history is why the swiss to this day send their soldiers to guard the pope because they have saved the popes before, switzerland doesnt need nato or a defence union, russia is too far away, they are defensively almost impossible for a single nation to invade eaily unless the invaders literally wants to pay atleast 2 of thiers for every swiss (thats the minimum probably higher).
Switzerland has already sanctioned countries before
@@hissukka6619 true, you are right in saying this and the usually do it in defence of human rights. but they have never done it so quickly, never to this extent and never a superpower, for example they never sanctioned us or uk for iraq,libya and afgansitan because of their human rights abuses, they never sanctioned china for the ughers (because they put them in concentration camps) and they never sanctioned India for what they are doing to the Sikhs or the muslims over there🤷🏻♂️. This is highly unusual from the Swiss.
@@hussain7675 TL;DR sry
@@hissukka6619 ???
man i sure hope switzerland stays neutral forever. because as long as nations are each their own entities there will be conflict and we need a place outside the playing field where it is possible to talk, negotiate etc.
basically switzerland is taking the role of a referee. of a sort. they arent making the decisions, but they are hosting the process of decision making.
"Geneva doesn’t…" Bern is the capital mate
You still enter the army as a athlete (if u don't opt out and join the civil service) you just do a separate programm to not compromise your ability to compete
Very interesting video as always!
Based on Russia's point of view, It's clear that Switzerland isn't neutral anymore, since it has been added to this famous "Unfriendly countries" list.
Switzerland was never been "neutral" in the sense that they don't get involved in anything.
They just don't join permenent alliances so they won't be obligated to partake in conflicts(military or otherwise) that doesn't benefit Switzerland.
Historically, the country has always been involved in politics and tends to profit by playing super powers off of each other.
Stretched further. Got it
1:29 this is not only painfully incorrect, it is simply wrong. The major european leaders met from September 1814 to June 1815 after the Battle of Leipzig in October 1813. The Battle of Waterloo was in June 1815. So eaven thoug the English did save the results of the Congress of Viena in Waterloo, the united Russians, Austrians, Prussians, Swedens, Mecklenburg-Schwerinians, Saxons and Württembergians where the ones who defeated Napoleon in the first place and enabled the Congress.
The Market has been pretty bad. Everybody is Practically Crying. It keeps dipping. That's what you get when you feel you can navigate the process in your own. Big thanks to Mrs eva heather . I'm not bothered with how bad the market is because my assests are insured due to her advice and I still receive my profits >
I think she trades for everybody I know. Met her twice at a conference in Germany, after her lecture I had to personally beg her to be my Finacial Advicer. I celebrate her strong feet.
@Ben Klaüs You can reach her on Tele
gram with her username
Tradewithevaheather, that's it
Putin might as well be able to piss them all off and make them join NATO lol
nah
You are making a really good point about neutrality.
As you say neutrality can be interpruted as "not going to war". You mention that Switzerland was completly surrounded by the Axis in ww2 and traded with them despite being neutral, who could blame them? Surely the Allies did after the war, but had Switerland any choise? Did the allies want Switzerland to starve on thier own delight? The same happend to Sweden. They were also neutral back then and despite having a coast, it was still surrounded by Germany and the Hitler made clear that any swedish ships outside its territorial waters would be sunked. Sweden didn´t want war and if they complied to german demands then just "maybe" it would be spared from invasion. And it worked, Sweden managed to stay out of the horrors of war depite the Allies complaint of trading/dealing with the Germans.
(The problem with history is that no one knew at the time, when the Axis seemed to win, that the allies was going to win in the end, we only know that from 1945 and up till today)
Why does has anybody a problem that Switzerland traded with the Axis? Neutrality means, you can trade with both parties on pre-war conditions. Germany was the main trading partner for Switzerland before the war. It would have been suicidal for Switzerland not to trade with the axis.
@@user-jd7gh2ef4s Exactly my point.
For me, it's the same as Ireland and Austria - I'd welcome them to NATO but respect their decision to stay out. Switzerland is not now, and I have zero worries it ever will be, a threat to civilized nations.
They provide a multitude of benefits in their own way and if the day ever arrived when they had to pick a side, I have no worries what their decision would be. Inside or outside of formal alliances, Switzerland is an ally and a friend.