Switzerland Shelters One-Fifth of All Russian Spies in Europe

European governments have expelled hundreds of Russian diplomats accused of espionage since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, Switzerland has become home to one-fifth of all Russian spies operating in Europe.

This revelation comes from Bloomberg.

Currently, around 80 Russian agents are in Switzerland, according to a high-ranking official from Switzerland's Federal Intelligence Service (NDB), who informed members of the National Council's Foreign Affairs Commission.

While Swiss cities like Geneva and Bern have long attracted the attention of intelligence agencies, the issue of Russian diplomats engaged in espionage in Switzerland has become a more pressing topic of debate among Swiss politicians.

"These foreign agents pose a threat to Switzerland's internal and external security," stated Fabian Molina, a Social Democrat member of the National Council.

Known for its neutral stance, Switzerland has broken from tradition by aligning with most of the European Union's sanctions against Russia and certain associated individuals since the start of the conflict.

Last year, Switzerland froze Russian assets worth approximately $8.2 billion. However, these sanctions do not extend to diplomats who continue to enjoy immunity.

"When Switzerland expels diplomats, it does so for reasons of internal security, and these cases are not publicly disclosed," said a spokesperson from the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to the spokesperson, communication channels with Russia must be preserved.

As reported by The Gaze, in September the Swiss Federal Council approved a nearly $110 million package aimed at supporting the demining of civilian and agricultural areas in Ukraine and aiding in reconstruction efforts.

These funds will be directed towards Swiss companies and organizations already active in Ukraine, assisting in the disposal of explosive devices, training Ukrainian sappers, and supplying necessary equipment. Oversight of these funds will be conducted by the Swiss Embassy in Kyiv.

Previously, the U.S. Department of Justice intensified its investigation into Swiss banks Credit Suisse Group and UBS Group AG over suspicions of regulatory violations that allowed Russian clients to evade sanctions.