Neutrality Studies The Swiss Fight to Revive Their Neutrality | Amb. J.D. Ruch
Dec 2, 2025
Jean-Daniel Ruch, former Swiss ambassador and founder of the Geneva Center for Neutrality, champions Switzerland's Neutrality Initiative. He emphasizes the global importance of neutrality and its potential for Swiss soft power, advocating for a constitutional definition to enhance credibility. Ruch critiques the Federal Council's responses to geopolitical tensions and warns against oversimplified narratives in the Ukraine conflict. He calls for diversifying security partnerships and boosting Swiss mediation efforts for effective diplomacy.
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Neutral States As Global Stabilizers
- Jean-Daniel Ruch argues neutral states are essential to address global risks like climate change and AI-driven arms races.
- He sees a coalition of independent countries as vital for pursuing the common good beyond great-power rivalry.
Sanctions Revealed A Defensive Posture
- Ruch says Switzerland's adoption of sanctions in 2022 showed a defensive, inconsistent approach that damaged credibility.
- He calls for clearer, independent policy-making to restore consistent neutrality and public trust.
Write Neutrality Into The Constitution
- Enshrine a clear constitutional definition of neutrality to limit ad hoc executive reversals and strengthen the Federal Council's stance.
- Use constitutional limits as leverage to resist external pressure and protect Swiss independence.