Expert sees Ukraine conference in Switzerland tainted by flaws
Published: Friday, Jun 7th 2024, 09:50
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One expert believes that the upcoming Ukraine conference at Bürgenstock NW has been severely devalued by the announced absence of important states. The likely absence of countries such as China, Brazil and South Africa is a blemish, said Gerhard Mangott, a political scientist at the University of Innsbruck, around a week before the start of the meeting.
"The most important thing would have been the group photo at the beginning of the conference," says the Russia expert. It is significant that a possible follow-up conference was already being treated as the most important goal before the meeting. "Normally, announcements of a follow-up conference before the start of the planned conference make it clear that little is expected of the current meeting."
The meeting on June 15 and 16 on the Bürgenstock in the canton of Nidwalden is intended to provide an impetus for a peace process in the war in Ukraine started by Russia. Russia has not been invited and would not have taken part. The final list of participants is to be published at the beginning of next week.
Important but ultimately secondary issues such as nuclear security and prisoner exchanges were discussed, said Mangott. The fact that the USA was only represented by Vice President Kamala Harris and Security Advisor Jake Sullivan was a great disappointment from Ukraine's point of view. "It is really incomprehensible why US President Joe Biden decided not to participate," said Mangott. On top of that, it is becoming obvious that many countries of the Global South do not want to clearly side with the West on the issue of war.
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Switzerland will be using the meeting, which delegations from around 80 countries are expected to attend, not least to cultivate its image. It is clear that neutral Switzerland does not supply weapons. But Bern is also reluctant or even opposed to humanitarian projects or allowing other countries to supply weapons manufactured in Switzerland to Ukraine, which is under attack, said Mangott. The Swiss government points out that it has budgeted around CHF 150 million for humanitarian aid and development cooperation in Ukraine and the region in 2024.
According to the expert, both sides in the war in Ukraine are still a long way from being willing to negotiate peace. Despite all its efforts and heavy losses, Russia has only conquered 800 square kilometers in Ukraine this year. Kiev, for its part, is relying on the supply of new Western weapons. "Only when the war of position has exhausted both sides will there be negotiations, but only about a ceasefire, not peace," Mangott is convinced.
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