Switzerland Sanctions Putin, Adopts EU Freeze on Russian Assets

Swiss President Ignazio Cassis delivers a speech at the opening of a session of the UN Human Rights Council on February 28, 2022 in Geneva. - The UN Human Rights Council voted to hold an urgent debate about Russia's deadly invasion of Ukraine at Kyiv's request, amid widespread international condemnation of Moscow's attack. FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images

Switzerland on Feb. 28 chose to throw its weight behind sanctions the European Union imposed on Russia last week in a dramatic departure from the country’s neutral stance on conflicts between nations.

The Swiss government adopted the sanctions imposed by the European Union on Feb. 23 and 25, freezing the assets of a number of people and companies, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.