Ukraine peace summit ended in Switzerland on June 16 with no major practical progress on ground. China, Saudi Arabia, India, South Africa and Brazil refused to back a communique seeking respect for recognition of the territorial integrity of the war-torn country. More than 80 nations out of nearly 100 participants opted for this joint memo. Can the summit for peace bring any hope for the people of Ukraine is vital question needs to be answered? Wars must end whether they are in any part of the world.
Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also did not sign the final document, the Swiss government confirmed. Russia was not invited to this conference while China completely disregarded this event and decided not to send even envoy to the summit, despite Ukraine’s invitation. Participants were from Europe, the US, and other Western allies, included countries from Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Turkey, which maintains links with Russia sought to be a peacemaker and signed. Argentina, Iraq, Qatar, and Rwanda also signed.
The European Commission head, Ursula von der Leyen, said it would take time to achieve what was desired. “This summit was not a peace negotiation because Putin is not serious about ending the war, he’s insisting on submission, insisting on yielding the Ukrainian territory – even that today is not occupied.”
International organizations including the three main EU institutions and 27 EU member states also signed the declaration. It said the UN charter, the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states “can and will serve as a basis in achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”
Signatories to the note stated that threats or use of nuclear weapons was “inadmissible”, after repeated nuclear saber-rattling by Putin. It called for attacks to cease on Ukrainian civilian ports and merchant ships, saying food security “must not be weaponized in any way.” It also called for the release of all prisoners of war and the return of detained Ukrainian civilians, including children. In this summit, no discussion of what a postwar settlement would look like or Ukraine’s hopes of joining NATO were reported.
Viola Amherd, the Swiss president, who hosted the event, said the “great majority” of participants agreed to the final document “shows what diplomacy can achieve”. Speaking at the end of this two-day summit Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomed this step acknowledging that not all attendees were on board. “Unfortunately, there are people who are still balancing,” he said, alleging that Russia was trying to divide the world. The final communique remained open for accession by everyone who respects the UN charter,” Zelenskiy added. He said parties had agreed to work in special groups on “action plans for peace”, which he said would open the way to a second peace summit. In response to a question on China’s refusal, Zelenskiy said, “China is a serious, serious state, and a serious economy that has a political and economic influence on Russia. China truly has influence and I believe that China could help us.” He added: “I believe that friends are those who are helping when it is difficult. I would want China to be a friend of Ukraine.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin, ahead of the summit, offered a ceasefire linking it with Kyiv’s retreat from joining NATO and departure from Moscow’s annexed four regions. He blasted the conference as another trick to divert everyone’s attention and reverse the cause. “All of this must be a part of fundamental international agreements, and all Western sanctions against Russia should be lifted, Putin said. “We’re urging to turn this tragic page of history and to begin restoring, unity between Russia and Ukraine and in Europe in general,” he added. Reacting to this Russian offer Zelenskyy said Putin’s proposal was the form of an ultimatum that could be compared with the actions of Adolf Hitler.
“Putin demands to give him a part of our territories, those occupied and not occupied,” he added. He called this offer as, “This plan is manipulative, absurd, and was designed to mislead the world. It is to undermine diplomatic efforts for peace, and splits a unity of the world around the principles of the UN Charter.” Both NATO and the US have also rejected the Russian offer. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said “illegally occupied sovereign Ukrainian territory. He is not in any position to dictate to Ukraine what they must do.”
A war between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2022. Much of the fight in this war was focused in the south and east, where Moscow annexed four regions, although it didn’t fully control any of them. Ukraine’s military has been on the back foot in recent months, with its troops outnumbered by the Kremlin’s forces and running short of ammunition and weaponry due to delays in promised Western military aid.
Many believe both Russia and Ukraine sit together for the solution and the UN and some neutral players expedite sincere efforts to bring them together. But question is Who will think beyond politics? (Senior journalist Rana Kashif has authored this article)
