Switzerland has spent about CHF 470 million in the last two years a half to support Ukraine, and additionally CHF 2.5 billion has been spent on supporting Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland, Ambassador of Switzerland to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova Félix Baumann said in an exclusive interview with the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency.

"We've spent about CHF 470 million in the last 2.5 years to support Ukraine and people staying in the country, and also additionally we have been supporting Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland. In total, it's more than CHF 3 billion," he said.

Baumann also noted that there are currently about 66,000 Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland and recalled that the special status for protection of Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland has been extended until March 4, 2026.

"The number [of Ukrainian refugees] has been stable for the last year. And about 25% of them are in the labor market. The government hopes to increase this number to 40%," he said.

The diplomat named three main obstacles to the employment and job search of Ukrainian refugees in Switzerland.

"The first is the non-recognition of Ukrainian diplomas in Switzerland. The second problem is the lack of knowledge of the national languages of Switzerland. And the third, and perhaps the most important, is that potential Swiss employers and Ukrainian refugees looking for work do not know each other," he said.