Switzerland will consider Germany's new request to re-export weapons to Ukraine

Reuters reports with reference to the statement of the spokesperson of Swiss Department of Economic Affairs.

The day before, German Minister of Defense, Christine Lambrecht, sent a letter to her Swiss colleague, Viola Amherd, with a request to allow the re-export of 35 mm ammunition for Gepard anti-aircraft guns to Ukraine. Ukraine also appealed to Bern to allow supplies.

Representative of the Swiss economy ministry said they received from German Defense Ministry a letter on the subject, adding that Economy Minister Guy Parmelin "will respond to this letter in due course". The press secretary refused to comment on whether Ukraine asked the Swiss government.

In April, Bern vetoed the re-export of Swiss-made ammunition used by Gepard anti-aircraft tanks. 35mm rounds were originally supplied by Swiss companies to German military decades ago, but their re-export was blocked after Swiss government said the supplies would violate Switzerland's neutrality law.

Switzerland explained its own position with the neutrality law. Despite this, Switzerland has moved away from its usual position of total non-alignment, and Bern has reimposed almost all of the sanctions European Union has imposed on Moscow.

• On October 26, Germany transferred two more MARS II systems and four Panzerhaubitze 2000 artillery installations to Ukraine. German government also updated the list of announced military aid. In particular, Germans promised to transfer to Ukraine another 6,100 artillery shells of 155 mm caliber and 186 thousand shots of 40 mm caliber for grenade launchers.