Swiss Authorities Crack Down on Export of Dual-Use Goods to Russia via Third Countries

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Switzerland is intensifying its export controls amid reports that Russia is covertly seeking to acquire Swiss machinery for military applications. According to the Federal Intelligence Service (NDB), Moscow is utilizing intermediaries in third countries, notably Turkey, Serbia, India, Central Asian nations, and China, to circumvent existing sanctions. The NDB's recent report emphasizes that these efforts are structured to adapt quickly upon detection, posing significant challenges for Swiss export controls.

Notably, export data analyzed by NZZ am Sonntag reveals a sharp increase in shipments of dual-use goods from Switzerland to Turkey and Serbia since the onset of sanctions against Russia. Jürgen Böhler-Royett from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) stated that enhanced scrutiny was introduced in mid-2023 regarding exports to Turkey following incidents where firms attempted to redirect Swiss machinery to Russia.

Swiss authorities maintain that while there are no restrictions on exports to Turkey, every dual-use item is now evaluated case-by-case to minimize risks of sanction evasion. The situation underscores the complexities faced by Switzerland in balancing economic interests with international security concerns amidst ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

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