A Swiss security strategy released earlier this month warns of a “drastically deteriorated” security landscape and calls for the procurement of long-range missiles and drones.
Since 2025, Bern has participated in selected projects under the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation defense framework, or PESCO. Switzerland has also intensified its long-standing partnership with NATO with closer political dialogue and efforts to improve the Swiss military’s ability to operate alongside allied forces, including in areas such as air power, communications, space and resilience. However, Switzerland remains outside the alliance.
Supporters of the neutrality initiative argue that this shift has already gone too far — and that sanctions against Russia in particular compromised Switzerland’s traditional stance.
“Switzerland’s image as a neutral nation was tarnished,” said Samuel Sommaruga, a doctor who’s leading the Committee for International Geneva and Its Neutrality, which backs the initiative. “We’ve aligned ourselves with a bloc, we’ve followed Europe.”
Switzerland has a lot to lose, Sommaruga said. “Neutrality allows for a mediating role. It also brings economic stability, which helps attract capital.”
He also argued neutrality could protect Switzerland in the event of a wider military conflict between NATO countries and Russia. “If we serve as a channel for dialogue, no one will shoot the messenger.”