Russian Ambassador Sergei Garmonin denied claims that Russia is interfering in the internal affairs of Switzerland, telling news agency TASS that recent local press reports were baseless insinuations. He stated that neither the Russian Embassy in Bern, other Russian diplomatic missions in the confederation, nor the Russian Foreign Ministry interfere in Swiss domestic matters.
Garmonin noted that insinuations about alleged Russian interference have appeared more frequently in the Swiss press. The diplomat spoke after Swiss authorities announced a national referendum on September 27 regarding a popular legislative initiative titled On Neutrality.
Neutrality initiative proposal
The initiative proposes embedding the principle of perpetual armed and comprehensive neutrality into the constitution. This principle excludes the possibility of introducing any sanctions except those adopted by the United Nations Security Council.
In July, Federation Council Vice Speaker Konstantin Kosachev responded to US President Donald Trump after accusations of election interference, emphasizing that Russia has no connection to the domestic political life of another state.
