Ukraine peace summit to take place in 2024
Published: Saturday, Jan 20th 2024, 10:40
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The Ukraine peace summit planned in Switzerland should still take place in 2024, according to President Viola Amherd. "The aim is that we can hold this summit as soon as possible. It should certainly take place this year," she said in an interview.
The planned summit is unlikely to be a real peace talk without Russia as the aggressor. "Russia is unlikely to be there, but we are now seeking talks with everyone else," Amherd told "Schweiz am Wochenende".
At the same time, the Federal Councillor let it be known that Switzerland is also in contact with Russia. "Switzerland is talking to everyone. And I have been told time and again over the past few days how important this is and how happy everyone is that someone can talk to everyone. The channels of communication exist and are open."
Whether the summit at the level of ministers or heads of state will actually take place remained open for the time being. "Of course, there is a small risk that we will not succeed in organizing the summit," said Amherd. But if Switzerland doesn't try, then it certainly won't succeed. "You have to have the courage to say: we'll give it a try and do our best."
Subdued expectations
Amherd dampened expectations for the summit. "We can't expect to have a ready-made peace plan after our summit," said the Defense Minister. "But if we can use it to initiate a peace process, then we will have already achieved a lot."
According to Amherd, success would be achieved if a broad range of countries participated, including those from the Global South - namely South Africa, India, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, and if possible China. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis will travel to China at the beginning of February, as has been planned for some time.
Almost two years after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the future of Ukraine was the focus of a meeting between the Kiev government and representatives of over 80 countries and organizations in Davos GR on Sunday. The countries' security advisors discussed a ten-point peace plan proposed by Ukraine.
©Keystone/SDA
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