Peace in Ukraine will be discussed again in June: Switzerland has officially invited people to a conference and sent out more than 160 invitations – but not to Russia. But Moscow should be included.
Switzerland has officially invited more than 160 delegations to the planned Ukraine conference. It will take place on June 15th and 16th in a luxury hotel on Lake Lucerne – the “Bürgenstock Resort” – and was organized at the request of Ukraine. The Foreign Ministry announced in Bern that the meeting would take place at the level of heads of state and government.
The aim is to develop a common understanding of a possible path to a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The conference should initiate a peace process.
Switzerland: Moscow has repeatedly refused to participate
“Russia has not been invited at this time,” it said. The Swiss Foreign Ministry pointed out that Moscow had publicly refused to take part on several occasions. However, it continued: “Switzerland is convinced that Russia must be included in the course of this process. A peace process without Russia is unthinkable.”
The basis for the discussions is the peace formula that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj presented at the United Nations in autumn 2022. Kiev demands that aggression be punished, lives protected, security and territorial integrity restored, and security guaranteed.
Ukraine: End the war only on both sides
The conference is not aimed at involving Russia, but rather at bringing together countries that have a common understanding of the steps towards a solution, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told the US magazine “Foreign Policy”. There will then be communication with Russia and Moscow can be involved in negotiations. Of course it is the case that the war cannot be ended without the participation of both sides, said Kuleba.
China’s participation open
The Kremlin reacted: “We don’t understand what a milestone this peace conference is supposed to be?” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in Moscow. “How can one talk about a serious conference with serious results without Russia’s participation?”
The Russian position is important because China is demanding a peace conference that is acceptable to both sides, Russia and Ukraine. Therefore, China’s participation is open. However, the aim of the meeting in Switzerland is to create understanding for the Ukrainian position, especially among previously Russia-friendly or neutral states such as China, India, Brazil and South Africa.