A gag rule may be formally neutral, that is, forbidding discussions or arguments either for or against a particular policy.

During the Winter War, Estonia was formally neutral, even though it had to allow the Soviet Union to establish military bases and station troops on its soil.

Brazil was formally neutral.

Polish government also preferred a formally neutral Romania because that ensured the safety from German bombardments of supplies through Romanian territory.

Still, the Gelugpa leadership initially held a formally neutral stance when the Mongol forces turned against Karma Tenkyong.

Poland-Lithuania was formally neutral at this point, as August started the war as a king of Saxony.

Previously a formally neutral party in the Pomeranian campaigns, Brandenburg-Prussia openly joined the coalition by declaring war on Sweden in the summer of 1715.

For the duration of the war, Ireland, while formally neutral, tacitly supported the Allies in several ways.

While the Oneidas and Tuscaroras remained formally neutral, many individual Oneidas expressed sympathy with the rebels.

The only other formally neutral countries are Austria, Finland, Ireland and Sweden.