Meeting attendees set forth requirements for Russia
The Switzerland Peace Summit for Ukraine wasn't gonna bring tranquility to Ukraine, that much was evident even before it started. A few nations preferred if the Kremlin delegates were part of the negotiations, but alas, the first day of the Ukraine Summit in Switzerland concluded with a proposal for a closing declaration. In it, Russia was pinned as the culprit for the conflict in Ukraine, leading to immense pain and devastation for its people. The declaration demanded that Russia respect Ukraine's territorial sovereignty, hand over control of the Saporischja Nuclear Power Plant, and regain access to its ports on the Black and Azov Seas. All Ukrainian imprisoned soldiers were to be released, and children taken from Ukraine were to be returned to their homes. Any hint of using Atomic Weapons against Ukraine due to the ongoing war was unacceptable.
Leaders and governors from over 90 countries were attempting to find a common ground for peace negotiations for Ukraine at this gathering. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the summit as successful, stating, "Today is the day when the world begins to approach a fair peace."
Some countries raised concerns about Russia's absence as a hindrance to progress. Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud mentioned that credible negotiations would require tough compromises. Saudi Arabia, along with Turkey, is being considered as a potential venue for a follow-up conference where Russia could also participate. Both countries have avoided aligning with the Kremlin since the war began, but the exact date for such a conference remains uncertain. "We are still a long way from that," said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz prior to the summit. The peace process was fragile and needed to be treated with care.
Demands for Russian involvement in the discussions were growing louder, as reported by Bob Deen from the Dutch think tank Clingendael Institute. "There's a risk that rival events may emerge if Ukraine waits too long, potentially losing the initiative," Deen said at a forum during the summit. Russia was not invited to the summit.
Absence of key allies
The Swiss hosts made attempts to invite as many countries friendly with Russia as possible to the table. The outcome was underwhelming. China, Russia's most significant ally, withdrew completely, while Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the G7 summit instead on Friday, even as they ignored the Swiss conference. Brazil now serves as an observer, and India sent just a State Secretary from the Foreign Ministry. South Africa's National Security Advisor is present.
Serious attempts for a resolution between Russia and Ukraine have been short-lived after the invasion in 2022. Prior to the Swiss conference, the US newspaper "New York Times" published draft contracts. Russian President Vladimir Putin attempted to present them as binding agreements on a Friday. According to the documents, Ukraine was ready to renounce NATO membership and remain neutral. The question regarding the Russian-annexed Crimean Peninsula was proposed to be deferred. Moscow, however, tried to sabotage the security guarantees that Kiev was counting on from other countries such as the USA. Reports from "New York Times" revealed that several historians concluded recently that both sides were still far from an agreement in 2022.
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- Despite the absence of key allies such as China and Brazil, the international community, including leaders like Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud, expressed the need for Russia's participation in future peace talks for Ukraine.
- Volodymyr Selenskyy, the President of Ukraine, commended the efforts of the Switzerland Peace Summit, stating that it marked the beginning of the world approaching a fair peace for Ukraine.
- In a potential follow-up conference in Saudi Arabia or Turkey, Russia could be included, though the exact date remains uncertain, as stated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
- Bob Deen, from the Dutch think tank Clingendael Institute, emphasized that the absence of Russia in the peace negotiations could lead to rival events, potentially relinquishing Ukraine's initiative.
