Latest news with #ThomasSüssli
Euronews
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Switzerland revives wartime bunkers amid heightened security concerns
Switzerland is seeking to revive its system of wartime bunkers, many of which have remained unused since the 1990s. Triggered by heightened security concerns following Russia's all-out war in Ukraine, the Swiss military is reconsidering the role of an estimated 8,000 bunkers scattered across the country, some dating back to 1886, and how to best modernise them. Originally constructed to guard strategic locations, such as the Gotthard railway and Alpine passes, the system of bunkers became a key component of the Swiss National Redoubt, a network of fortifications designed to repel invasion during World War II and the Cold War. While many bunkers were once fitted with advanced defence systems to shield against Soviet missile threats, their use declined after the Cold War. Budget cuts and changing defence priorities led to many of the sites being sold to civilians. Buyers found surprising new uses for them, from cheese cellars and art galleries to data storage hubs and hotels. Some were even turned into high-security vaults for cryptocurrencies, such as the Swiss Fort Knox in Bern canton. However, in 2023, the Swiss army halted all sales of these shelters, opting instead to assess how best to repurpose them. "We have to make use of what we've got," Swiss Army Chief Thomas Süssli told domestic media. 'The nature of military threats has changed. The bunkers are poorly placed and the weapons they contain will only last for another ten or twenty years,' he added. For the army, the goal is to convert these bunkers into 'difficult-to-attack defence nodes' using cutting-edge technology, while ensuring the upgrades are cost-effective and require minimal staffing. Aside from strengthening national defence, some cantons have also adapted civilian shelters into temporary accommodation for refugees. According to local media, the Swiss Society for Technology and Armed Forces plans to host an 'innovation day' in mid-September, where more details will be unveiled and participants can pitch their ideas. "We're looking for ideas from all sectors, not just defence," the STA emphasised.
See - Sada Elbalad
23-02-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Switzerland Mulls 200 Troops for Ukraine Peacekeeping
Israa Farhan Switzerland has expressed its willingness to contribute 200 troops to a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, according to Swiss Armed Forces Chief Lieutenant General Thomas Süssli. In an interview with Blick, Süssli stated that if Switzerland were tasked with participating in such a mission, the military would develop a comprehensive training program to prepare soldiers. He estimated that Switzerland could deploy around 200 troops within 9 to 12 months. However, he emphasized that the prospect remains hypothetical, as the future course of the conflict in Ukraine remains uncertain. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated that a parliamentary vote could be held on sending UK forces to Ukraine, but only after a ceasefire agreement is reached. He also stressed that any decision would require strong backing from Washington. Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump has suggested that negotiations to end the Ukraine conflict could begin immediately following a direct call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This has raised concerns in Europe, where leaders fear being sidelined from any peace talks. These concerns deepened after Keith Kellogg, Trump's envoy to Ukraine, explicitly stated that Europe would not have a seat at the negotiating table. In response to these developments, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov warned that any deployment of foreign military forces on Ukrainian soil could lead to "severe and irreversible consequences."
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Switzerland says it might contribute 200 troops for future peacekeeping mission in Ukraine
Switzerland could send around 200 troops for a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, contingent on a formal request and approval from the Swiss government. Source: Reuters, citing Thomas Süssli, Commander-in-Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces, in an interview with Swiss newspaper SonntagsBlick posted on Sunday, 23 February, as reported by European Pravda Details: Süssli stated that discussions on deploying peacekeepers in Ukraine are purely hypothetical at this stage, as it remains uncertain how the situation between Kyiv and Moscow will evolve. "There's no peace yet and there's been no request from the United Nations," he noted. Meanwhile, he stressed that Switzerland could probably "field around 200 soldiers in nine to 12 months". He emphasised that should Switzerland receive a request, the decision would lie with the government and parliament. Neutral Switzerland participates in various peacekeeping missions globally, the largest of which is in Kosovo, where its troops support NATO forces (KFOR). European countries are discussing the possibility of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine. Background: Media reports suggest that a plan by the UK and France for a peacekeeping contingent envisages the deployment of up to 30,000 European troops. However, it depends on whether the US president can be persuaded to agree to a limited US military role. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that it would be unacceptable for Russia to see NATO troops deployed in Ukraine after an agreement to resolve the war is reached. US President Donald Trump has backed the idea of deploying European armed forces to Ukraine for a peacekeeping mission. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
