On September 26, 2026, Swiss voters rejected a Russian-backed proposal on “neutrality” which would force Switzerland to opt out from almost all forms of military cooperation with Europe while pulling it out of the sanctions regime against the Russian Aggression. It comes on top of the June referendum results in which Switzerland has rejected a populist proposal to cap its population which, if approved, would necessitate automatic suspension of free movement from Switzerland to the rest of Europe and result in significant economic and social damage. 

Over the past decade, the Swiss people have consistently rejected multiple multiple populist proposals by the far-right aimed at using scaremongering tactics to convince voters to detach from Europe and the world. Taken together, these results also show that there is a majority in favour of close ties between Switzerland and Europe and the preservation of freedom of movement, military cooperation, and the familial, educational, and economic ties between Switzerland and its European family. What the Swiss people do not want is to support Russian invasions and maintain “business as usual” with Russia while Europe resists an invasion. The concerns behind the proposals both regarding security and illegal migration are real and must be addressed. But the response cannot be isolation, it must be better policies and a stronger Europe.

Together, Switzerland and the EU should work together to resolve common challenges, deepen integration, with a long term goal to facilitate Swiss accession to the EU, taking it’s rightful place in the center of the European Federation.