Switzerland opposes confiscation of Russian assets
The Swiss government considered the confiscation of Russian private assets in favor of Ukraine a violation of the country's constitution.
The confiscation of legally acquired private assets of Russians to finance the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine is contrary to Swiss law. Such a statement was made on Wednesday, February 15, by the Swiss government, having studied the analytical report of an internal working group operating under the leadership of the Federal Ministry of Justice on this topic.
According to the Swiss authorities, Russia, having invaded Ukraine, violated international law and is obliged to compensate for the damage caused by it. However, expropriation of private assets of legal origin without compensation. However, the expropriation of private assets without compensation violates the Swiss constitution, its current legislation, as well as the country's international obligations, the government said in a statement in Bern. It also states that similar constitutional rights and guarantees exist in other states.
“At the international level, there are discussions about the possibility of withdrawing the foreign exchange reserves of the Russian Central Bank, as well as other Russian state property. In addition, the possibility of tightening the norms of punishment in case of violation of sanctions by persons under sanctions is being studied. Switzerland follows these discussions and participates in these discussions to present its position,” the press release continues.
In Bern, they stressed that they would continue to monitor the development of the international situation and provide support to Ukraine, regardless of discussions about the fate of Russian assets frozen in Switzerland after the start of the war. On the same day, February 15, the Swiss authorities announced that they had begun the process of confiscating the assets of associates of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in order to help the country subjected to Russian attack.
