The Swiss intelligence agency is being criticized for seemingly missing the imminent invasion of Ukraine and leaving the government unprepared for its reaction.
The Federal Intelligence Agency – or FIS - has recently had its budget expanded and has employed nearly a 100 more people over the last few months.
Critics point to other countries which warned loudly of the threat, including the UK and the US agencies, which tweeted Russia was ready to attack. But there was only silence from the FIS.
The lack of clear guidance is being seen as at least partly responsible for the initial confusion by the Federal Council.
The president, Ignazio Cassis, says the invasion caught them by surprise, but in Switzerland the threats of invasion were partly seen as propaganda.
It seems the Swiss analysts believed Russia would only move into the Donbas region.
The Council of States has rejected a popular initiative that would have let foreigners apply for citizenship after just five years, closing the parliamentary door on the biggest attempt in years to loosen one of Europe's strictest naturalisation regimes
The canton of Geneva is set to become the sole owner of the land beneath Stade de Genève, buying out a parcel held by federal railways CFF for CHF 15.84 million
The Swiss National Bank has kept its key interest rate at zero, sticking with a policy that has held since June 2025 even as oil-driven inflation ticks higher