Russia’s full-scale assault on Ukraine was the kind of thing that should have been a clarifying, pick-a-side moment: a European democracy was invaded and terrorised by a revanchist autocracy for no good reason. Russia’s rampage nudged a couple of fence-sitters from their perches – both Finland and Sweden joined Nato – but, two-and-a-half years into the war, there are still far too many countries that persist in equivocating.

It can only be hoped that Switzerland’s re-examination of its policy of obdurate neutrality will rouse some from their slumber. A study commissioned by the country’s Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport has suggested deepening military co-operation with the EU and Nato to develop a “common defence capability”. Switzerland’s Federal Council had already decided to participate in projects associated with Pesco, an EU military framework.

Does neutrality know no bounds?

There’s no suggestion that Switzerland will apply to join either Nato or the EU – indeed, it is due a referendum sometime soon on affirming its neutrality and an “aye” vote seems overwhelmingly likely. But these recent developments are nevertheless pretty seismic from a country so doggedly disinterested in foreign dramas that it sat out both world wars and didn’t even join the UN until 2002.

It’s also worth noting that the recommendations have been made not so much for Ukraine’s benefit as for the good of Switzerland’s languishing defence industry. Under current strictures, Swiss war materiel, or weapons containing the nation’s components, cannot be exported to countries at war. Switzerland’s kit has therefore been left behind in the scramble to arm Ukraine. But in military affairs more than in most fields, what matters is the result, not the intention. If Switzerland, of all countries, can grasp the importance of this moment, there’s little excuse for any nation still telling itself that the present crises are only happening to others. Switzerland’s defence boffins should “CC” their report forthwith to Vienna and Dublin.

Andrew Mueller is a contributing editor at Monocle and the presenter of ‘The Foreign Desk’ on Monocle Radio. For more opinion, analysis and insight, subscribe to Monocle today.