Ukraine helpers disagree on including Russia in peace talks
Published: Sunday, Jun 16th 2024, 17:40
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The vast majority of participants at the Ukraine conference on the Bürgenstock NW called for "all parties" to be involved in a peace process at the end of the meeting. However, they remained divided on the key issues of when and how exactly Russia should be involved.
The delegations stated that all parties, including Russia, must be involved if peace is to be achieved. According to President Viola Amherd, 84 of the 90 states participating in the summit endorsed the final communiqué.
There was also consensus among the summit participants on securing nuclear facilities, protecting merchant ships and port facilities in Ukraine and for an exchange of prisoners and the release of abducted Ukrainian children and civilians.
However, the states did not reach an agreement on the inclusion of Russia in a future peace process. There was no mention of a follow-up conference in the final declaration. Further steps" were needed here, Amherd told media representatives on the Bürgenstock at the end of the two-day summit.
Troop withdrawal as a condition
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi named a Russian troop withdrawal as a condition for the start of peace negotiations. "Russia can start negotiations with us tomorrow without waiting for anything if it withdraws from our legitimate territories."
According to Selenskyj, however, the first Ukraine peace conference on the Bürgenstock could soon be followed by a second meeting. Such preparations would only take months and not years, said Selenskyj. Some states had already signaled their willingness to host such a summit.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that a prerequisite for Russia's participation in peace talks would be Moscow's commitment to the UN Charter. The path to a just and lasting peace takes time. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis also expressed his optimism. Organizing a second conference with Russia is possible, he said.
Canada organizes humanitarian conference
Only Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau provided concrete details on Sunday. He announced a conference of foreign ministers to discuss measures against the humanitarian catastrophe in the war zone.
The lack of support from the Brics countries of emerging economies, which include Brazil, India, China and South Africa as well as Russia, was a major issue at the peace summit. China and Russia did not travel to the Bürgenstock; Russia did not receive an invitation following negative comments. Brazil, India and South Africa were there, but did not come with their heads of state or government.
Russia demands troop withdrawal
Amherd, who had organized the summit at the request of Ukraine, did not want to speak of a failure. It was the first time since the outbreak of war in Ukraine two and a half years ago that such a large number of heads of state and government from all continents had discussed the peace process. There are common ideas for a fair and lasting peace.
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin held out the prospect of a ceasefire and peace talks if Ukraine withdrew its armed forces from four Russian-occupied areas in the east and south of Ukraine and renounced its membership of Nato. However, this was largely rejected in Switzerland.
US Vice President Kamala Harris said that Putin was demanding that Ukraine capitulate and categorically rejected the proposal. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also clearly rejected a Russian "dictatorial peace".
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