Relationship dossier
Russia
Switzerland
Relationship assessment
Swiss sanctions and Russia’s response have strained a relationship that previously included Swiss good offices.
Russia toward Switzerland
-35Russia designated Switzerland an unfriendly state in 2022 and has criticized its adoption of sanctions against Russia. These measures and statements mark a substantial deterioration in Russia’s policy toward Switzerland.
Switzerland toward Russia
-45Switzerland adopted European Union sanctions against Russia in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine, including measures affecting Russian assets. Switzerland also hosted a Ukraine peace summit in 2024 without Russian participation. Its earlier role representing Russian interests in Georgia reflected a contrasting tradition of Swiss good offices.
Overall relationship
-40The relationship combines a history of Swiss neutrality and practical good offices with a sharp deterioration after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Swiss sanctions and Russia’s designation of Switzerland as an unfriendly state are major adversarial features; Switzerland’s earlier representation of Russian interests in Georgia is a significant cooperative feature.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Relations have shifted from Switzerland’s established role as a neutral intermediary to pronounced friction following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Switzerland adopted sanctions against Russia and hosted a Ukraine peace summit in 2024 without Russian participation. Russia has treated Switzerland as an unfriendly state and criticized its sanctions policy. Earlier Swiss good offices, including representing Russian interests in Georgia, provide a history of practical cooperation.
Areas of tension
- Swiss adoption of sanctions against Russia after the invasion of Ukraine
- Russia’s designation of Switzerland as an unfriendly state
- Disagreement over Switzerland’s neutrality and its role in the 2024 Ukraine peace summit
Key developments
Switzerland adopted European Union sanctions against Russia following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russia included Switzerland on its list of unfriendly states.
Switzerland hosted a Ukraine peace summit; Russia did not participate.
Major uncertainties
- The scope of remaining Swiss good-offices activity involving Russia is unclear.
- The extent of practical bilateral cooperation outside sanctions and diplomatic disputes is unclear.