Switzerland hosts Russian oligarch villa, trusted friend Putin

The three - bedroom apartment is located on the fifth floor of a luxury complex at a golf resort in picturesque Bernese Oberland surrounded by snowy mountains, according to the paper. NZZ am Sontag.

Even, 67, is Putin's close trust and leading shareholder of the group that owns Russia's largest private bank, Alpha.

Last month, he said he would counter the false “and baseless” EU sanctions approved by Switzerland. Switzerland, a country that traditionally has chosen a neutral policy, is a major shopping center for Russian goods.

It is estimated that Swiss banks hold up to $231 billion in Russian wealth (161 billion).