crackowski requests a second peace summit with Russian representatives
**Despite rejection from the Kreml, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his demand for Russia's participation in a second peace summit this year. "I believe that Russian representatives must be present at the second summit", Zelenskyy said at a press conference in Kiev. He expects a detailed plan for implementing his previously proposed peace formula, which calls for a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory, by November.
There will be a meeting at the ministerial or advisory level in Qatar at the end of July or beginning of August for energy security, Zelenskyy added. In addition, there will be talks in Turkey in August on free shipping and food security. Furthermore, at a third meeting in Canada in August, the exchange of prisoners and the return of children kidnapped by Russia will be discussed.
Ukraine has been repelling a Russian invasion since February 2022. Russia is demanding that Ukraine cede more than a fifth of its territory for peace from its neighbor. Ukraine is also expected to declare neutrality and renounce the NATO membership enshrined in its constitution since 2019. Representatives of over 100 states and organizations participated in a peace conference in Switzerland in June without Russian representatives. Three of the ten points of Zelenskyy's peace plan, including energy security, food security, and the exchange of prisoners, were discussed.**
Moscow has dismissed the peace conference as absurd.
Despite Moscow's dismissal of the peace conference as absurd, President Zelenskyy hopes to see Russian representatives at the upcoming peace summit, as he believes their presence is crucial for implementing his peace formula. The detailed results of this summit, including a complete withdrawal of Russian troops, are expected by November.
