The future of Ukraine was discussed in Switzerland for two days. Not all of the 93 participating states signed the final document. The result of the conference is primarily symbolic.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba speaks to the international press against the picturesque backdrop of Lake Lucerne. They are “on the right track” because a peace process has been initiated at the meeting venue on the Bürgenstock near Lucerne.
Maksym Kolesnikov stands in the front row with his recording device in his hand. Kolesnikov – host of a radio show in Kiev – has traveled to Switzerland to report on the results, but also to speak on the podium about his earlier time as a prisoner of war.
At the beginning of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, he was kidnapped near Kiev and held prisoner in Russia. Kolesnikov reports on interrogations and torture in Russian detention camps. After eleven months, in February 2023, he was released through a prisoner exchange – but many of his comrades were not. This is one of the reasons why 80 states are now demanding the release of all prisoners of war.
80 countries agreed on Final statement
While fighting in Ukraine continues, participants at the Bürgenstock Conference have given Ukraine a boost and may have launched a roadmap for negotiations.
Surrounded by Alpine peaks, 80 countries were able to agree on a final declaration. The host, Swiss President Viola Amherd, draws a positive conclusion. “The fact that the vast majority of the states present here agreed on the Bürgenstock Communiqué shows what diplomacy can achieve with patient work.”
Specifically, they demand compliance with international law and reject Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian territory. They condemn threats of nuclear weapons and demand the unhindered operation of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant by Ukraine, as well as free sea routes for Ukrainian grain exports and the exchange of all prisoners and the return of abducted Ukrainian children.
Selenskyj urges for quick Peace negotiations
Some of the countries present did not sign the final declaration – including India, South Africa and Saudi Arabia. They did not give an explanation for this. From the perspective of Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, the fact that these countries have opted out is of secondary importance. “I am not worried if not everyone signs now,” said Nehammer at Bürgenstock.
Observers consider Saudi Arabia and Turkey to be possible hosts of another Ukraine peace summit – whether Russia will be at the table in the first step is currently unclear.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is pushing for quick peace negotiations with Russia. “We have no time to continue the war. The path to peace must now be quick. We are talking about months, not years.”
Ideas of peace are far apart
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sets a condition for talks with Vladimir Putin. “As soon as Russia is ready for peace based on the UN Charter, the country can be part of our efforts to complete the path to peace.”
Because Russia has ruled out its participation and China has declined its invitation, the outcome of the conference is primarily symbolic. It remains unclear whether, when and where Zelensky and Putin will sit at the same table. Both are willing to talk, but their ideas are far apart.
Former prisoner of war Maksym Kolesnikov is skeptical about a future peace conference with Russian President Putin at the negotiating table. “What should we negotiate about if Putin claims our land, our territory? At the moment we have no choice but to fight.”