The recent Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland marked a significant step towards resolving the ongoing conflict, with 78 countries aligning to declare Ukraine’s territorial integrity as the cornerstone for any peace talks. Despite the absence of Russia and some key developing nations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky celebrated the ‘first steps toward peace’ and underscored the importance of dialogue in hosting a second peace summit. The summit’s final declaration also called for the return of all civilians, including children, who were displaced ‘illegally’ to Russia, and the release of prisoners of war. Moreover, the declaration stressed the necessity of including Russia in future peace negotiations, a sentiment echoed by the Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who stated that Russia’s participation is crucial to achieving a ceasefire. The summit’s discussions revolved around nuclear safety, food security, and humanitarian challenges, with a focus on the return of deported children and the exchange of prisoners. The summit concluded with a diplomatic victory for President Zelensky, as he secured global support for Ukraine’s cause despite some disagreements. Not all countries signed the declaration, indicating that support for Ukraine is not yet fully global, but the Swiss President Viola Amherd stated that Russia’s President Vladimir Putin could travel to Switzerland for potential negotiations without being detained, pending approval from the Swiss government. The summit’s outcome highlighted the need for practical issues such as nuclear safety and food supplies to be addressed, while the final declaration called for Ukraine’s control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and Azov Sea ports to be restored. The summit was attended by leaders from 101 nations and organizations, including European and NATO leaders, as well as presidents and heads of state from Latin America, Africa, and Asia.
Key points
- 78 countries at the Ukraine Peace Summit agreed on the importance of Ukraine’s territorial integrity for peace talks.
- The summit called for Russia’s inclusion in future negotiations and highlighted issues of nuclear safety and food security.
- President Zelensky secured global support for Ukraine, despite some nations abstaining from the final declaration.
Contradictions👾While the summit was deemed a step towards peace by Ukraine, the absence of key nations and Russia’s exclusion raise questions about the effectiveness of the outcomes.
