Switzerland to Host Global Summit Seeking Path to Peace in Ukraine

Switzerland is set to host a high-profile summit on June 15-16 aimed at developing a common understanding of a path towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. T

he "Peace in Ukraine" summit, to be held at the picturesque Burgenstock resort near Lucerne, has invited over 160 delegations from around the world to participate in the dialogue.

Why this matters: The success of this summit has significant implications for global security and stability, as a peaceful resolution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict could prevent further escalation and humanitarian crises. A united international effort towards peace in Ukraine could also set a precedent for addressing other regional conflicts and promoting diplomatic solutions over military interventions.

The summit is a collaborative effort between Ukraine and Switzerland, following a series of meetings among national security advisors to discuss Ukraine's Peace Formula. Notable attendees may include U.S. President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron, who has confirmed France's involvement. However, Russian representatives have not been invited to the summit because of doubts about Russia's commitment to genuine peace efforts.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the global significance of the summit, stating, "I am certain that every peace-loving nation in the world is interested in attending the summit, because its significance extends far beyond Ukraine." He further added, "This is what the first Peace Summit in Switzerland is all about... our shared global responsibility to protect [the principles outlined in the UN Charter] through real action rather than just words."

The organization of the summit was announced on January 15 by Zelenskyy and Swiss President Viola Amherd. Bloomberg reports that 80 to 100 countries are expected to participate in the event. The Swiss government aims to create a framework for a lasting peace in Ukraine and a roadmap for Russia's participation in the peace process. However, the Swiss acknowledge that "a peace process without Russia is not possible."

The summit will build on recent discussions, underscoring the Ukrainian peace formula and other peace proposals based on the UN Charter and key principles of international law. The overarching objective of the summit is to inspire a future peace process by providing a platform for dialogue on ways towards a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine.

It also aims to promote a common understanding of a possible framework to reach this goal and jointly define a roadmap on how to involve both parties in a future peace process.

Despite the absence of Russian representatives, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba questioned the utility of Russian participation, citing the need for Russia to act in good faith. "We know that it doesn't make sense to have Russia at the table if you cannot ensure that they act in good faith," Kuleba stated.

Zelenskyy raised concerns on April 24 about potential disruptions by Russia, describing it as a terrorist state aiming to hinder the peace efforts. The summit's success will largely depend on the ability of the participating nations to find common ground and develop a roadmap that can lead to a sustainable peace in Ukraine.

The "Peace in Ukraine" summit in Switzerland represents a significant step towards promoting peace and stability in the region. Over 160 delegations from around the world are expected to participate in the event, which aims to create a framework for a lasting peace in Ukraine and a roadmap for Russia's participation in the peace process.

The outcome of the discussions and the level of commitment from the participating nations will be pivotal in determining the future course of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the prospects for a lasting peace.

Key Takeaways

• Switzerland to host "Peace in Ukraine" summit on June 15-16 with 160+ delegations.
• Russia not invited due to doubts about its commitment to genuine peace efforts.
• Summit aims to create a framework for lasting peace in Ukraine and a roadmap for Russia's participation.
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy emphasizes global significance of summit, citing shared responsibility to protect UN Charter principles.
• Success of summit depends on finding common ground and developing a roadmap for sustainable peace in Ukraine.