International Peace Discourse Commencing in Switzerland; Absence of Russia and China Anticipated
An assembly, happening at a resort near Lucerne, will be graced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who aims to garner support for his proposed 10-point peace plan, unveiled towards the end of 2022.
Representatives from most Western governments are expected, some at high ranks. US Vice President Kamala Harris, along with heads of state and government from France, Germany, the UK, and several other European nations, are slated to attend, as well as Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. Regrettably, China will not be present. They believe that such a meeting should have the participation of both Russia and Ukraine.
Zelensky's plan advocates ceasefire, restoration of Ukraine's territorial sovereignty, withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian land, and restoration of pre-war borders with Russia.
Additionally, it suggests setting up a special tribunal to prosecute Russian war crimes.
However, Russia appears uninterested in complying with these terms and has shown no signs of negotiation regarding territorial disputes.
On the eve of the summit, the day before it was due to commence, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Russia's peace plan, a proposal likely to be rejected by Ukraine. This plan calls for Ukrainian troops to withdraw from four regions of Ukrainian territory that Russia intends to annex, disregarding international law, and demands Ukraine renounce its ambitions to join NATO.
Even though Russian forces have recently made some inroads in two of these regions, Donetsk and Luhansk, they are far from controlling all four, which also include Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
Addressing Italian television, Zelensky stated that "Putin's suggestion to relinquish certain parts of our territory, both occupied and unoccupied, implies several regions of our country, and he will stop there, and there will be no ongoing conflict."
Zelensky further compared Putin's messages to those of Hitler. "Putin understands that there will be a peace summit," Zelensky said. "That most of the world is on Ukraine's side, on the side of life. And on the eve of the summit, amid air raid alarms, people dying, and missile attacks, he seems to be imposing some kind of ultimatum," he added.
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Despite the ongoing peace discourse in Europe, concerns about Russia and China's absence persist. The world is closely watching the developments in Ukraine and hopes for a peaceful resolution, recognizing the significance of Europe's role in global peace and security.
