OREANDA-NEWS   Switzerland, following the EU, is expanding the list of sanctions against Russia adopted as part of the 15th package of sanctions from Brussels, according to a statement published on the website of the Federal Council of the country.

"On February 12, 2025, the Federal Council decided to join the measures of the 15th package of sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia. The new measures will enter into force on February 13, 2025," the document says.

It clarifies that Switzerland now prohibits the recognition and enforcement of certain court decisions, according to which Russian courts claim exclusive jurisdiction in disputes between Russian and Swiss companies.

Switzerland is not a member of the EU and NATO, but Bern has joined almost all European sanctions against Russia since February 24, 2022. The authorities in Bern have blocked private Russian assets worth $8.8 billion as part of the sanctions. Swiss bank Credit Suisse has blocked or frozen more than a third of Russian assets registered in Switzerland, amounting to over $19.7 billion. The Swiss government also reported that about $8.45 billion of assets of the Russian Central Bank are blocked in the country. In addition, Bern is ready to participate in international discussions on the issue of confiscation of frozen assets of the Russian Federation.