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From Our Own Correspondent: Soul-searching in Switzerland

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Protest in Lausanne, Switzerland, against the war in Ukraine

05/03/2022 GMT

Soul-searching in Switzerland

BBC World Service - From Our Own Correspondent, Soul-searching in Switzerland

Switzerland adopts EU sanctions against Russia plus stories from Hungary, USA and Chile.

The Swiss debate the meaning of neutrality, Ukrainians find safety in Hungary, we're at the annual Republican conference in the USA and Moai Tau returns to Rapa Nui.

This week Switzerland, after much soul searching, decided to adopt all the European Union’s sanctions against Russia. It was hailed around the world as a huge step, a virtual abandonment of the country’s strict neutrality. But was it? Imogen Foulkes gauges the reaction of Swiss locals.

Over one million refugees have fled Ukraine in the days since the Russian invasion began. As the long convoy of Russian military tanks closes in on Kyiv, the rush to escape to neighbouring countries has become ever more frantic. Nick Thorpe is at the Hungarian border and reflects on a different invasion.

For the majority of those attending the annual Republican Conference in Florida, the crisis in Ukraine was a subject best avoided. Instead, President Joe Biden was cast as their greatest threat. Anthony Zurcher reports on the conference.

Thousands of miles off the coast of Chile, sits the Polynesian island of Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island. The islanders are eagerly anticipating the return of one of their beloved Moai figures carved out of rock. It was first brought to Chile in 1870. Jane Chambers has been following the twists and turns of the great homecoming.

Presenter: Pascale Harter
Producer:  Diane Richardson
Editor: Emma Close

(Image: Protest in Lausanne, Switzerland, against the war in Ukraine. Credit: European Pressphoto Agency/Jean-Christophe Bott)

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