The major world powers do not subscribe to the statement of the peace summit of Ukraine | Ukraine
Key regional powers including Brazil, India, South Africa and Saudi Arabia have not signed a joint communique issued at the end of a Ukraine peace conference in which more than 80 countries and international organizations endorsed their territorial integrity against the invasion of Russia.
Speaking at the end of the two-day summit in Switzerland, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, hailed the “first steps towards peace” but acknowledged that not all attendees had joined. “Unfortunately, there are people who are still in the balance,” he said, adding that Russia was trying to divide the world.
He said the final communique remained “open to accession by everyone who respects the UN charter”.
About 100 countries participated in the conference in the tourist resort of Bürgenstock, but Russia was not invited and China rejected the event. Amid modest expectations ahead of the event, Western diplomats argued that its importance lies in part in its participants. The attendees were mostly from europethe US and other Western allies, but included countries in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Zelenskiy said the sides had agreed to work in special groups on “action plans for peace,” which he said would pave the way for a second peace summit.
The final text was signed by more than 80 countries and international organizations, including the three main EU institutions and 27 EU member states. He said the UN Charter, territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states “can and will serve as the basis for achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”
In a boost to Kiev, Turkey, which maintains close trade ties with Russia and he wanted to be a peacemaker, he signed the document. It was also signed by Argentina, Iraq, Qatar and Rwanda.
Saudi Arabia, India, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico and the United Arab Emirates, however, participated in the summit but did not sign the final communique. Brazil attended with “observer status” and did not approve the text.
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that it would take time to achieve peace in Ukraine. “[The Swiss summit] It was not a peace negotiation because Putin is not serious about ending the war, he insists on capitulation, he insists on giving up Ukrainian territory, even territory that is not occupied today.”
China decided not to send an envoy to the summit, despite Ukraine's invitation. Asked about Beijing's stance on the war, Zelenskiy said: “China is a very serious and serious state, [and] serious economy that has political and economic influence in Russia. China really has influence and I think China could help us.”
He added: “I think friends are the ones who help when it's hard. I would like China to be friends with Ukraine.”
The signatories of the statement stated that threats or the use of nuclear weapons were “inadmissible”, following Putin's repeated nuclear saber strikes, as well as attacks on Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which was captured by Russia early in the war and is at the front. He called for an end to attacks on Ukrainian civilian ports and merchant ships, saying food security “must not be used in any way”. And he called for the release of all prisoners of war and the return of illegally detained Ukrainian civilians, including children.
In keeping with the modest goals of the summit, there was no discussion of what a post-war settlement would look like or Ukraine's hopes of joining NATO. Swiss President Viola Amherd, who hosted the event, said the fact that the “vast majority” of participants agreed with the final document “shows what diplomacy can achieve”.
Speaking to reporters, Zelenskiy suggested the military situation had “stabilized” in Kharkiv, the northeastern region under fierce shelling since advance of Russian forces. “Our task today is not to give success to Russia in its offensive operations in Kharkiv,” Zelenskiy said. “The situation is better, it has stabilized and I believe that in the near future, thanks to our partners, there will be a strengthening of our warriors.”
Asked whether Western military aid was enough, Zelenskiy said: “There is help. There are serious packages. Is it enough to win? No. Is it too late? Yes. Will there be reinforcement of these packages? We're working on it, we're working on it every day.”