'Very probable' that Swiss will freeze Russian assets, says president

Swiss President Ignazio Cassis has said that it is "very probable" that neutral Switzerland will follow the European Union (EU) on Monday in sanctioning Russia and freezing Russian assets in the country.

Cassis, interviewed on French-language Swiss public television, said that the seven-member Federal Council would meet on Monday and review recommendations by the departments of finance and economy.

Asked whether Switzerland - a major financial centre and commodities trading hub - would follow the EU in freezing Russian assets, he said: "It is very probable that the government will decide to do so tomorrow, but I cannot anticipate decisions not yet taken."