Greek Leopard 1A5GR tanks considered to replace blocked RUAG tanks deal for Ukraine | Ukraine - Russia conflict war 2022 | analysis focus army defence military industry army
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German government has put forward a proposal to Greece for an arrangement involving exchanging Leopard 1A5/GR tanks for ex-Italian Leopard 1A5 tanks. These latter tanks acquired by the Swiss group RUAG with the intention of selling them to Ukraine are currently held up due to an investigation conducted by Swiss authorities.
  • awwwyissss@lemm.ee
    13·
    1 year ago

    I don’t think I’ll ever look at Switzerland the same way after this.

    Truly shameful for them to just stand and watch in this struggle of democracy vs authoritarianism.

    • fluxion@lemmy.worldEnglish
      4·
      1 year ago

      If they were just standing there it would be far less frustrating than the current reality, which is them repeatedly tripping over themselves to block others from helping Ukraine with their own money/resources.

    • exapsy@sh.itjust.works
      3·
      1 year ago

      They kinda did the same with Nazis, and Nazis were worse, and much much more successful. Now is the time that you hate them?

      • awwwyissss@lemm.ee
        2·
        1 year ago

        I was hopeful they had changed. I know about their collaboration with the Nazis and where some of their gold comes from.

        • exapsy@sh.itjust.works
          1·
          1 year ago

          Switzerland has been well known for its neutrality, even in wars regardless, regardless of ethics in war they were neutral. I dont know what your hopes were based on, with all the respect:)

          It’s like the only country that is really known for its strictness on its neutrality, despite being in the middle of Europe. Honestly with all the respect, I don’t know honestly why people are surprised for not giving weapons.

          They barely have any soldiers even.

          It would be more rational to be surprised if the opposite happened.

          • awwwyissss@lemm.ee
            1·
            1 year ago

            They’re neutral because they’re in the middle of Europe.

            Maybe it’s time for them to join the other democracies in the world and stand up to authoritarianism.

  • partial_accumen@lemmy.world
    5·
    1 year ago

    Here is the sum total of the article that actually talks to WHY the deal is blocked, and even then it isn’t very clear:

    “An investigation was launched in Switzerland regarding RUAG’s attempt to sell Leopard 1 battle tanks to Ukraine through Germany’s Rheinmetall. This sale was halted due to concerns about violating Switzerland’s neutral status. RUAG acquired 96 Leopard 1 tanks from Italy in 2016 and planned to sell them to Rheinmetall, which would oversee repairs before facilitating their transfer to Ukraine. These tanks are currently in Italy. The investigation covers various aspects of the tank trade, including the circumstances of the original purchase in 2016 and the subsequent contract with Rheinmetall. Switzerland officially declined the re-export of the Leopard 1 tanks to Ukraine in June.”

    Essentially just “it violates the law, and we’re investigating”.