Switzerland rallies Ukraine supporters in Nidwalden
Published: Friday, Jun 7th 2024, 09:50
Updated At: Saturday, Jun 15th 2024, 04:40
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More heads of state and government than ever before are meeting in Switzerland on Saturday and Sunday at Bürgenstock NW for a conference on a possible peace in Ukraine. What will it achieve? Who is coming? And why is the aggressor Russia not there? The most important questions and answers:
WHY DOES THE CONFERENCE EXIST?
The "High-Level Conference on Peace in Ukraine", which runs until Sunday evening, is a continuation of four previous conferences on the Ukrainian peace formula. These took place in Copenhagen, Jeddah, Malta and most recently in Davos GR in January. The two most important differences to the previous events: Heads of state and government or ministers are meeting on the Bürgenstock and no longer just security advisors. And it is no longer just about the 10-point peace plan once propagated by President Volodymyr Selensky with the immediate withdrawal of all Russian troops, the release of all prisoners of war and the punishment of Russian politicians and military officers, but only about parts of it that are considered realistic in the international community.
WHAT RESULTS ARE EXPECTED?
The aim of the diplomatic mega-meeting is to initiate a peace process and create the conditions for a subsequent peace summit with the participation of Russia. Kiev is hoping for broad international support for its conditions for an end to the war against Russia. A host for the next conference is also to be announced. Saudi Arabia was one of the countries under discussion. However, these are not actual peace talks. Russia is not at the table. The participants are supposed to agree on steps or a roadmap for a peace process. They are discussing topics of global interest. The protection of nuclear power plants, freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, food safety - Ukraine is an important exporter of corn, wheat, vegetables, barley and sunflower oil - as well as humanitarian aspects were mentioned in advance. The participants intend to publish the results in a final declaration.
DOES THE CONFERENCE ACHIEVE ANYTHING?
Opinions differ on this. Whatever will be in the joint final declaration: Ukraine's supporter states united on the Bürgenstock want to increase the pressure on Russia with unity. The organizers are doing everything they can to ensure that this is not just a Western conference. Representatives of countries from all continents are sitting around the table. Only minor progress and no quick peace can be expected. Switzerland will probably benefit from good PR as the organizer of the event and beautiful images from central Switzerland that can be seen all over the world. The G7 summit in Italy on Thursday brought tangible results: the heads of state and government pledged 50 billion dollars from interest gains on frozen Russian assets to Ukraine in the defensive struggle. The USA and Ukraine also signed an agreement for further aid over the next ten years.
WHO IS TAKING PART?
Delegations from 92 countries are attending the conference on the Bürgenstock - including 57 heads of state and government. Over 160 delegations have been invited, as well as international organizations and religious representatives. Around half of the participants come from Europe and North America, the other half from the rest of the world. The gathering on the Bürgenstock is likely to be unprecedented. US Vice President Kamala Harris is coming for the USA. Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Great Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz and France's Head of State Emmanuel Macron as well as Italy's Prime Minister Georgia Meloni are coming from the most important Western industrialized countries (G7). Representatives from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and India will also be present at the Bürgenstock. Numerous African countries are also taking part.
WHO HAS CANCELED?
For US President Joe Biden, a campaign appointment in the USA is apparently more important than attending in person. China has also canceled. China is considered Russia's most important ally. Beijing considers the conference difficult without the participation of the aggressor Russia. Brazil - the largest country in South America - is only sending one observer. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva came to Geneva two days earlier and met with President Viola Amherd, but skipped the Bürgenstock. And only one envoy is attending from South Africa, which is said to have been put under pressure by Moscow.
WHY IS RUSSIA NOT INCLUDED?
In the run-up to the conference, Russia described it as useless. A search for peace without Russia was "absolutely illogical, pointless and a waste of time", according to the Kremlin. The conference was an attempt to impose conditions on Russia for an end to the conflict, said Russian President Vladimir Putin. When deciding whether to invite Russia to the Bürgenstock Conference, Switzerland had to weigh up two risks, as Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said. On the one hand, there was a risk that certain countries would not participate without Russia at the table. The other risk was that Switzerland would not have had Ukraine at the table if Russia had been there.
WHAT REACTION CAN BE EXPECTED FROM RUSSIA?
That is uncertain. There have already been disruptive actions and attacks in cyberspace, for example on the websites of the Federal Administration. According to Selenskyj, Russia put pressure on friendly countries not to take part in the conference in the run-up to the event. Russia also stepped up its rhetoric towards Switzerland. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov described Switzerland as an "openly hostile country". It was therefore not suitable for negotiations on the Ukraine conflict. According to experts, propaganda is intended to undermine the legitimacy of the summit. President Viola Amherd was recently massively denigrated on Russian television in a discussion program. She was said to be greedy for money and not particularly attractive. She was called a "baby murderer" and a "Satanist". Amherd called the statements "out of order" and described them as propaganda.
HOW DOES THE CONFERENCE WORK?
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Selensky arrived on Friday. The other state guests are due to arrive at the Bürgenstock on Saturday afternoon. The welcoming ceremony will take place in the early evening, followed by opening speeches. The conference will then begin with a plenary exchange in the presence of all heads of delegation, as well as discussions on various topics in smaller formats. Closing speeches are planned for Sunday lunchtime. Media conferences will be held in the afternoon to take stock.
WHAT SAFETY PRECAUTIONS APPLY?
Because a large number of people protected under international law are attending, the security precautions for this event are unparalleled in Switzerland. They are even stricter than at the WEF in Davos GR - for example, journalists are not allowed to bring liquids or water bottles with them. Hundreds of police officers are deployed, as well as up to 4,000 members of the army for the protection of facilities, surveillance and transportation. Armed F/A-18 fighter planes are on permanent patrol. Around forty kilometers of airspace around the Bürgenstock have been closed since Thursday and will remain so until Monday - even paragliding and hang-gliding are prohibited. Outdoor activities such as biking, jogging and barbecuing are prohibited in a red core zone. There are also restrictions on swimming in Lake Lucerne. There are controls and temporary road closures for convoys. The federal government is also helping Nidwalden to protect itself against nuclear, biological and chemical threats and possible hacker attacks. According to Defense Minister Viola Amherd, the Bürgenstock is an "ideal location to ensure security".
WHY IS THE CONFERENCE BEING HELD IN SWITZERLAND?
Switzerland is organizing the conference at Ukraine's request. Two working groups headed by Ambassador Gabriel Lüchinger and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis were set up to prepare for the event. Switzerland regularly hosts negotiations or acts as a mediator for talks and meetings. In 2022, Switzerland and Ukraine hosted a conference for the reconstruction of Ukraine in Lugano TI.
WHAT DOES THE CONFERENCE COST?
The costs depend on the number of delegations taking part. Most recently, the Confederation estimated a cost ceiling of CHF 10 to 15 million, of which CHF 10 million was for internal security.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE CONFERENCE?
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said that Switzerland was in discussions with many countries about where and when a second step could be taken after the Bürgenstock. The Bürgenstock Conference was the first step. The question was not whether Russia would be involved in the process, but when. According to Cassis, the aim is also for Switzerland to be able to announce at the media conference after the Bürgenstock meeting where a follow-up conference will take place. There are countries that are interested in this. "We are prepared to hand over responsibility and continue to accompany the process with other tasks if this is desired," said Cassis.
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