Moral cowardice

The Swiss decision is particularly offensive in light of the fact that the country has for decades been a favorite retreat of the oligarchs and officials who support and profit from Vladimir Putin's regime.

They saw nothing wrong with continuing to roll out the red carpet for Putin's accomplices.

They deposit their money in Swiss numbered bank accounts, buy luxurious Swiss chalets and send their children to Swiss private schools. For example, Putin's mistress, former gymnast Alina Kabaeva, lived in Switzerland for years with her children who were believed to be fathered by the Russian president.

Like many EU countries, Switzerland saw nothing wrong with continuing to roll out the red carpet for Putin's accomplices, even after Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine started in 2014. Unlike many EU members, however, Switzerland now seems to have problems unequivocally supporting a country that is being subjected to a cruel war of aggression that violates international law, aims to exterminate the Ukrainian nation, and has genocidal features.

To reject the treatment of injured Ukrainians with a dubious reference to international law, as Switzerland is doing, is particularly disgraceful.

The message from this decision is clear. For decades, Switzerland has had no problem getting involved with the perpetrators of the Putin regime, taking their money and harboring them. But it would rather not treat the victims of Moscow's criminal regime in its own country.

What is sold as neutrality is, in fact, just moral cowardice.