Ukraine at the center of a two-days-summit, 90 countries joined

Almost 90 leaders from all over the world gathered in Switzerland for a two-day summit on Ukraine’s peace. The conference, organized by Ukraine but held at the Bürgenstock resort near Lucerne, was designed to lay the foundations for a multi-stage international effort to end the conflict. Representatives of Russia were not invited to the conference, while China decided not to attend.

The event

This Summit was built on the previous discussions that have taken place based on Ukraine’s Peace Formula and other peace proposals which are in line with international law, including the United Nations Charter. An anticipated event that provided an opportunity to share different perspectives and unite against the war. Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed optimism about the initial steps toward achieving peace, though he acknowledged that not all participants were fully committed. “Regrettably, some are still undecided,” he remarked, noting that Russia was attempting to create divisions globally.

Despite modest expectations prior to the event, Western diplomats highlighted the importance of the attendees. While the majority were from Europe, the US, and other Western allies, the conference also included representatives from Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

The conclusions

“We had a fruitful, comprehensive and constructive exchange of various views on pathways towards a framework for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. In particular, we reaffirm our commitment to refraining from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, the principles of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all states, including Ukraine, within their internationally recognized borders, including territorial waters, and the resolution of disputes through peaceful means as principles of international law”. Those are the final words of the two-days-summit, that can be articulated as following:

• Firstly, the use of nuclear energy and facilities must be secure, protected, and environmentally sustainable. Ukrainian nuclear power plants and facilities, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, must function safely and securely under Ukraine’s full sovereign control.
• Secondly, global food security relies on the continuous production and supply of food products. Therefore, unrestricted, safe, and secure commercial navigation and access to sea ports in the Black and Azov Seas are essential. Any attacks on merchant ships in ports, along their routes, and on civilian ports and their infrastructure are unacceptable.
• Thirdly, all prisoners of war must be released through a complete exchange. All deported and illegally displaced Ukrainians must be returned to Ukraine.

It’s a joint battle

Even though unanimity failed to be reached, that does not mean that this summit did not have an impact. The front lines in Ukraine have remained practically unchanged since the end of 2022, despite tens of thousands of deaths on both sides in a relentless trench warfare. In her closing remarks, Swiss President Viola Amherd warned that “the road ahead is long and challenging.” Last week, President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia will not stop the war until Kyiv completely withdraws its forces from the four provinces that Moscow partially controls and claims to have annexed. This event is therefore a strong response to Russian’s threat and a huge claim for peace all over the world.