Russian attacks on Swiss neutrality aim to support populist parties, says historian

Russian attacks on Switzerland's neutrality are part of a deliberate strategy to bolster national populist parties, historian Jean-François Fayet stated. Fayet, an expert on Eastern Europe and a lecturer at the University of Fribourg, believes Russia's criticism of Switzerland's evolving neutrality constitutes interference in the country's internal affairs.

“

Russian attacks on Swiss neutrality are a strategy to support populist parties.

Fayet's comments follow a recent public statement by Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Zakharova criticized Switzerland's perceived "non-neutrality," particularly its opposition to Christoph Blocher's initiative on neutrality. She invoked historical references, including the Bergier Commission's findings on World War II, to accuse Switzerland of aligning with Kyiv and Brussels, mirroring past actions toward Berlin.

“

we can speak here of interference.

The historian suggests that this Russian maneuver is likely influenced by a highly active pro-Putin milieu within Switzerland. This group, he implies, is working in concert with Moscow. Fayet's analysis frames Russia's actions not as a simple diplomatic dispute, but as a calculated effort to exploit and amplify existing political divisions within Switzerland to serve Moscow's interests.

“

A maneuver that one can assume was suggested by a very active pro-Putin milieu in Switzerland which is on good terms with Moscow.