Ukraine war fails to nudge neutral Switzerland closer to NATO

The security architecture on the European continent is changing dramatically as Russia extends its war on Ukraine. While Finland and Sweden are increasingly likely to join NATO, closer cooperation with the alliance is also the subject of a lively discussion in Switzerland. But will the mountainous, landlocked Central European country abandon its principle of neutrality and make a bid to the Washington-led Western military alliance? Laurent Goetschel, director of swisspeace and professor of political science at the University of Basel, told Al Jazeera there could be some advantages. "The country might benefit from additional networks regarding intelligence and other security-related exchange formats," said Goetschel, adding NATO would have an additional member and there would be "no discussions anymore about being allowed to use Swiss airspace – or even land routes – for transports and communication".