Dozens of countries meeting at a peace summit in Swiss They reiterated their support for the independence and territorial sovereignty of Ukrainewhile pointing out that kyiv must dialogue with Russia to end the war.
More than two years after the Russian invasion of Ukraineleaders and senior officials from more than 90 countries met at a luxurious hotel complex in the Swiss city of Burgenstockto try to end the biggest conflict in Europe from the Second World War.
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Neither Russia neither China were present at the meeting, which closed with a declaration supported by nearly 80 of the 92 participating countries.
“We believe that achieving peace requires the involvement and dialogue between all parties“said the document consulted by AFP.
The statement also reaffirmed “the principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all States, including Ukraine”, called for an exchange of prisoners and asked for the return home of the children deported to Russia.
Brazil, India, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates They did not appear on the list of countries that supported the final declaration, announced on the screen.
“We must do our job, let’s not think about Russia, let’s do what we have to do. At the moment, Russia and its leaders are not ready for a just peace. It is a fact”, declared the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky.
The president promised on Saturday to present peace proposals to Russia once they have been validated by the international community.
The summit on Sunday focused on nuclear and food security, and the return of Ukrainian children deported by Russia.
The meeting came at a delicate time for Ukraine on the battlefield, where Russian forces are larger and better equipped.
The Russian president, Vladimir Putinstated on Friday that he will negotiate with Ukraine if it withdraws its troops from the four regions that Moscow claims and partially occupies, and if Kyiv renounces to integrate the NATO.
But both kyiv, NATO and USA They repudiated Moscow’s conditions for ending the war.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskovinsisted on Sunday that it was not a “ultimatum” but of a “peace initiative that takes into account the realities on the ground”.
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“The current dynamics of the situation on the front clearly shows us that it continues to get worse for Ukrainians“, said.
The Russian Defense Ministry claimed responsibility on Sunday for the capture of Zahirneanother town located in the region of Zaporozhyein southern Ukraine.
The discussions in Swiss They were based on the agreed points of the peace plan presented by Zelensky at the end of 2022, and on UN resolutions on the Russian invasion.
The participants were divided on Sunday into three working groups: nuclear security, humanitarian affairs, food security and freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.
The humanitarian affairs session focused on issues related to prisoners of war, civilian detainees, internees and missing persons.
He also addressed the repatriation of Ukrainian children, removed by Russia from the partially occupied territories.
The food security talks examined the decline in agricultural production and exports, which had a ripple effect around the world, as Ukraine was one of the breadbaskets of the planet before the war.
Germany, Brazil, South Korea, Spain, Israel, Kenya, United Kingdom, Thailand and Türkiye They were part of the 30 countries of this working group.
Discussions also addressed the destruction of fertile land during war and the ongoing risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance.
The lack of security of maritime traffic in the Black Sea also contributed to the increase in prices.
The third group analyzed the safety of Ukrainian nuclear power plants, especially that of Zaporizhzhia, the largest of Europe, occupied by the Russians. The objective was to reduce the risks of an accident occurring.
Argentina, Australia, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, South Africa and the United States were part of this working group.
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There is already talk of a second peace summit and the Ukrainians had hinted that Russia could participate in it.
“A key question remains: how and when can Russia be included in the process?“questioned the Swiss president, Viola Amherdin his closing speech.
“We hear it in many of your statements: a lasting solution must involve both parties“, he said, while acknowledging that “the road ahead is long and difficult”.
