ZURICH: Switzerland announced on Friday that it would not provide arms to Ukraine to maintain its neutrality stance. However, the country will be sending dozens of retired trams from Bern and Zurich to the war-torn region.
A total of eleven trams will be sent to the major western city of Lviv, which has experienced a significant influx of people fleeing conflict zones in the south and east, according to a government statement.
Additionally, trams in “perfect working order” will be sent to the central city of Vinnytsia. The statement mentioned that these vehicles are in good condition and can continue to operate for 10 to 12 years in Ukraine. The first trams are expected to be delivered in the third quarter of this year.
The statement explained that many people sought refuge in Lviv after the Russian offensive, leading to a substantial population growth in the city. The additional trams are considered crucial due to the increased road traffic.
Switzerland will cover the costs of transporting the trams to Lviv, training workers for maintenance, and constructing a new tram line to a hospital.
Under a new agreement, 31 retired trams from Zurich are being sent to Vinnytsia. Switzerland’s financial capital had previously sent retired trams to Vinnytsia between 2007 and 2011, with more delivered under a 2021 deal.
Apart from Zurich trams in Vinnytsia, old trams from Bern are still operational in Romania, and former Basel trams are in service in Belgrade.
Switzerland maintains a longstanding position of well-armed military neutrality. While the country has imposed economic sanctions on Russia in line with the European Union, it refrains from sending arms or allowing countries with Swiss-made weaponry to re-export it to Ukraine.
