Bogdan Frolov22:07, 16.03.25

Switzerland’s new defence minister says his country needs cooperation and joint exercises with NATO.

Switzerland’s new Defense Minister Martin Pfister is pushing for closer defense cooperation with NATO and its European neighbors. He stressed that cooperation and joint exercises with NATO, of which Switzerland is not a member, are “absolutely necessary.”

He added that he was not calling for the country to join the Alliance, although NATO still plays a key role in ensuring European security, the Financial Times reports .

His appointment underscores the urgent need even for neutral Switzerland to bolster its defences as US President Donald Trump threatens to renegotiate American guarantees that have long kept Europe, including Switzerland, safe.

At a press conference after the vote, Pfister said NATO was “changing, and we don’t know in what direction.” He said interoperability and cooperation with European countries were crucial “if security is important to us.” However, any change in Switzerland’s stance on neutrality would require a referendum and constitutional changes, a process that could take years.

However, experts say discussions have already begun at various levels of government that could lead to significant changes in a country whose national identity is closely linked to neutrality.

“I have never seen a scenario that would reflect the situation we find ourselves in. Transatlantic relations have always had their ups and downs, but the possibility of the US leaving Europe and its rapprochement with Russia… has sent shock waves across Europe, including Switzerland,” said Jean-Marc Rickly, head of the Global and Emerging Risks Unit at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

A similar opinion was expressed by Matthias Zoller, Secretary General of the aerospace, defence and security sector association Swissmem.

“There is now a sense of urgency that was not there before. Finally, both sides – both parliament and the government – understand that something needs to be done and changed,” he noted.

Changes to export regulations are also under consideration. Switzerland prohibits arms exports if the destination country is involved in any wars, domestic or foreign, including Ukraine. That could change under Pfister.

(c)UNIAN 2025