Swiss parliament rejects financial aid for Ukraine

(Patria) - The upper house of the Swiss parliament rejected a proposal for five billion francs (about 5.1 billion euros) in aid for Ukraine as part of a broader financial package because the plan violated the rules of a neutral country regarding lending.

Lawmakers rejected the 15 billion franc package, which also provided for 10.1 billion francs in additional funds for the Swiss armed forces, by 28 votes to 15.

The proposal was expected to be rejected in recent weeks, with right-wing lawmakers particularly opposing it.

Lawmakers said the package violated a specific Swiss provision, the so-called "debt brake," and rejected it two weeks before the Swiss government is to hold a summit on achieving peace in Ukraine.

The financial package, which a separate parliamentary committee supported in April, was intended as an extraordinary contribution to Swiss security and "peace in Europe" in light of the war Russia is waging in Ukraine.

Western allies are pressuring Switzerland to provide more assistance to Ukraine, while right-wing nationalist lawmakers advocate for the country to remain strictly neutral.

The aid for Ukraine was intended for the reconstruction and repair of everyday infrastructure in the country.