Switzerland’s Foreign Aid for Ukraine
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) provides the basis of Switzerland’s foreign aid strategy. The country’s foreign aid strategy 2020-23 focuses on building peace and security, prosperity, and sustainability and digitalization.
Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Switzerland’s foreign aid to Ukraine will double by the end of 2023, about USD $104 million. Switzerland’s support of Ukraine coincides with its foreign aid strategy to build peace and security for people around the world.
Peace and Security
According to a press release in January to 2020, the FDFA approved Switzerland’s foreign aid strategy to construct a world safe for everyone to live in and prosper. “In spirit of cooperation with other countries, Switzerland is committed to working towards a safe and peaceful world where everyone can live free from want and fear, have their human rights protected and enjoy economic prosperity.”
Accordingly, Switzerland’s candidacy on the UN Security Council in 2023-24 will advance Switzerland’s foreign aid globally but especially to Ukraine. Switzerland’s temporary seat will begin in January 2023 through December 2024, and during those two years, Switzerland will “intensify their work towards a peaceful international order.”
Foreign Aid to Ukraine
In July of 2022, Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis announced that Switzerland’s foreign aid will double in Ukraine. He pledged approximately USD $104 million to Ukraine for reconstruction. “Ukraine has to lead its reconstruction, but we have to support it,” Cassis said at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Lugano, Switzerland.
Cassis also announced that Switzerland will continue to support organizations operating in Ukraine. He says that “Multilateral efforts are ‘an antidote to the use of force’.” However, Switzerland remains open for peace talks between Russia and the Ukraine.
Protection for Ukrainian Refugees
In March 2022, the Swiss government decided to grant protection for Ukrainian refugees. Protection will extend to any Ukrainian citizen or resident of Ukraine. It also includes people whom the Ukrainian government granted protection before February 2022.
This protection, or Permit S, is a temporary measure “to persons in need of protection as long as they are exposed to a serious general danger, in particular during a war or civil war as well as in situations of general violence” (Asylum Act §§ 4, 66, para. 2.). Permit S is valid for one year but may extend to five years, depending on the length of the ongoing war.
The Bid to Seize Russian Assets
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the Western nations to freeze their Russian oligarch’s assets. The U.S. House of Representatives urged President Joe Biden to use the funds from the Russian assets to support military and humanitarian aid.
Although Switzerland froze Russian oligarch’s assets, they have yet to announce any intention to take control of the funds and use them for Switzerland’s foreign aid in Ukraine. President Cassis said, “This is a global question, and Switzerland will announce its position at the appropriate time.”
Switzerland has always valued peace, and they strive to create a peaceful world. Their temporary seat on the UN Council will further implement their foreign aid policy to create a secure and safe world for all people to live. With the ongoing war in Ukraine, Switzerland’s foreign aid strategy to support Ukraine provides hope for the Ukrainian citizens and the world that Switzerland’s value for peace will be one of their top priorities.
