he Swiss government was criticised Wednesday for taking too long to apply sanctions slapped on Russia, with the second-largest party in parliament lodging a complaint.

Within days of Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine, Switzerland decided to match the neighbouring European Union’s sanctions on Moscow, breaking with the neutral Alpine country’s traditional reserve.

But the Swiss Socialist Party says the sanctions are not being applied in a timely or coherent manner, in a letter to the government seen by AFP, detailing the administrative complaint lodged with the economy ministry.
he party said the sanctions must be imposed as “thoroughly and quickly as possible”, stressing that Russian oligarchs might otherwise take advantage and withdraw their assets from Switzerland.

“Given the urgency of time, such passivity in implementing the sanctions is completely unacceptable,” the letter said.

he slower countries turn the screw on the Kremlin, the less likely it is that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be forced to the negotiating table, the party said.
he Socialists denounced the “collective irresponsibility” in applying the sanctions, with the confederation’s cantons waiting for instructions from the economy ministry, which says the measures are down to the cantons to implement.
he Socialists are the second-biggest party in the National Council, the lower house of parliament.
he United States and the EU were readying new sanctions against Russia Wednesday, after Ukraine’s president showed the UN Security Council harrowing images of violence and accused Moscow of widespread atrocities.