The Ukraine peace summit takes place this weekend in Switzerland. Some 90 countries and international organizations will meet for two days to outline a “first step” likely to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Who will participate? What are the issues ? What security system will be deployed? 20 minutes sums it all up for you.
Who will participate?
Of the 160 delegations invited to the negotiations, around 90 countries have confirmed their participation. Their representatives will gather around the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky. But it will be without Russia, which was not invited, nor a priori China. Excluded from the summit, the Kremlin described this meeting as “absurd”.
This refusal to include Moscow sparked criticism, starting with Beijing, which argued that it would be difficult to attend the summit without a Russian presence. Same thing for Brazil. The participation of representatives from the African continent also remained uncertain. Among the members of the Brics (five emerging countries), only India has indicated that it will be present.
Emmanuel Macron confirmed his arrival, as did American Vice-President Kamala Harris, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
What are the issues ?
If kyiv hopes for a global consensus going beyond its Western allies to increase pressure on Russia, Switzerland explains that it is a question of outlining a “first step”. “We would like to develop a road map on how the parties can come together in a future peace process,” says Swiss President Viola Amherd.
The conference is based on the ten-point peace plan that the Ukrainian president presented at the end of 2022. He highlighted, during an interview with AFP last May, “three main points”, the most consensual. “If we come out of the summit with these three steps and the majority of countries agree, this means that Russia will no longer block them,” hopes Volodymyr Zelensky.
The first concerns free navigation in the Black Sea to ensure global food security, thereby allowing Ukrainian grain exports. A theme dear to the so-called countries of the South.
The second concerns nuclear and energy security in Ukraine, while Russian strikes have demolished civilian infrastructure and the risk of a major nuclear incident remains due to the occupation of the Zaporizhia power plant.
The third point concerns the return of some 20,000 Ukrainian children deported to Russia, facts for which the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against Vladimir Putin in the spring of 2023.
For Moscow, this plan is unacceptable. Russia says it is willing to negotiate peace if Ukraine cedes the five regions it occupies.
What security system will be deployed?
To ensure the safety of participants, Switzerland opted for a location far from an urban area. She therefore chose to organize the peace summit at Bürgenstock Resort, a luxury resort in the heart of the mountains. An area that is nevertheless easy to access, underlines the president.
But “the cantonal police of Nidwalden would not be able to manage alone” the security of the premises, admitted Stephan Grieder, commander of the cantonal police. This is why the army and the Federal Police Office will be mobilized in particular. In total, “up to 4,000 soldiers” could be deployed. Securing lakes, aerial surveillance, protecting buildings… Nothing will be left to chance.