Jacques Baud (Switzerland)

Who is Jacques Baud?

Jacques Baud holds a master's degree in econometrics and a postgraduate degree in international security from the Graduate Institute of International Relations in Geneva. He was a colonel in the Swiss Army. He worked for the Swiss Strategic Intelligence Service and was a security advisor for refugee camps in eastern Zaire during the Rwandan war (UNHCR – Zaire/Congo, 1995–96). He worked for the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) in New York (1997–99), founded the International Centre for Humanitarian Demining in Geneva (CIGHD), and the Information Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA). He contributed to the introduction of the concept of intelligence gathering in UN peacekeeping missions and headed the first integrated UN Joint Mission Analysis Centre (JMAC) in Sudan (2005–06). He was head of the "Peace Policy and Doctrine" Division of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations in New York (2009–11) and the UN Expert Group on Security Sector Reform and the Rule of Law, worked at NATO, and is the author of several books on intelligence, asymmetric warfare, terrorism, and disinformation. - translated from Schweizer Standpunkt 3/22

Sanctions imposed by the EU

On December 15, 2025, he was sanctioned by the Council of the European Union on charges of pro-Russian propaganda and spreading conspiracy theories. According to the EU's statement, Baud is a regular guest on pro-Russian television and radio programs. He acts as a mouthpiece for Russian propaganda and spreads conspiracy theories, for example by accusing Ukraine of provoking its own invasion in order to join NATO. The sanctions include restrictions on freedom of travel and the freezing of assets within the EU, although the actual impact of the sanctions on Baud is largely unclear. ... The sanctions are not effective in Switzerland because, although Switzerland supports the EU's economic sanctions of 2022, it has not joined the sanctions regime opened in 2024 for propaganda and disinformation by the EU. Baud rejected all allegations in this regard. Baud's lawyers intend to appeal directly to the EU Council, and he plans to file a complaint with the European Court of Justice. - translated from Wikipedia 12/25

In this context we want to highlight the Legal Opinion by Prof. Dr. Ninon Colneric and Prof. Dr. Alina Miron - EU 31.10.25

Underlying are two decisions by the EU Council from 08.10.25 and 15.12.25, and the press release from 15.12.25

Tip: Explore our German resources on the causa Jacques Baud

Tip: Explore our extensive guide on the Ukraine War

Author: Norbert Stute, 28.12.25, licensed under CC BY-ND 4.0

Work in progress. Comments welcome.