Parliament Vetoes German Request For Ammo Resale To Ukraine

The Swiss Parliament has refused a German request to resale of Swiss-produced ammunition to Ukraine, reports the Financial Times (U.K.).

The German government submitted a proposal to send 12,000 Swiss-made 35-mm rounds of ammunition to Ukraine for Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns Berlin supplied earlier this year.

Switzerland rejected a similar request in April, claiming that it would jeopardize its policy of political neutrality.

Under the original sales contract, the Swiss government reserves the right to veto the resale of such equipment. Bern has also refused similar requests from Denmark and Poland to send Swiss-made weapons to Ukraine.

The German government argues that the Gepard systems are purely defensive and supplying the ammunition would not constitute a violation of the Switzerland’s neutrality.

Berlin has been struggling to find more suitable ammunition for the guns, which were withdrawn from German service in 2010, and have proven effective against slow-moving Iranian-made drones. Brazil, which also makes suitable ammunition, has refused Germany’s requests.

The decision has angered many in Germany, leading several lawmakers to call for an end to arms purchases from Switzerland saying it can no longer be considered a reliable partner.