A two-day summit in Switzerland aimed at finding a solution to end the war in Ukraine concluded without a unified agreement among key global powers. Over 80 countries and international organizations attended, but India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, all significant trade partners with Russia and BRICS members, chose not to sign the joint communique.
Diverging Views on Peace Plan
The document reaffirmed a commitment to avoiding the use of force against any nation’s territorial integrity and independence, emphasizing sovereignty for all states, including Ukraine, within their recognized borders.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, alongside leaders from the European Union, Ghana, Canada, Chile, and Switzerland, stressed the necessity of global support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity for lasting peace.
Global Participation
Over 100 countries and organizations gathered at a scenic lakeside resort near Lucerne to support Zelensky’s 10-point peace plan, initially proposed in late 2022. This plan calls for an end to hostilities, restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, withdrawal of Russian troops, and reestablishment of Ukraine’s pre-war borders—conditions unlikely to be accepted by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
High-Level Attendance
The summit saw attendance from leaders of Argentina, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced a $1.5 billion aid package for humanitarian needs and infrastructure rebuilding in Kyiv.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the high-level attendance as evidence of global concern over Russia’s aggression.
Challenges and Outcomes
Despite strong representation from Western democracies, there were doubts about the summit’s potential achievements, given the absence of Russia and China. The communique included agreements on allowing Ukraine control of its nuclear power plants, including the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and on the Kremlin refraining from using or threatening nuclear weapons. It also emphasized the return of unlawfully displaced children and civilians to Ukraine.
Russia’s Stance
Ahead of the summit, President Putin reiterated Russia’s peace plan, demanding Ukrainian troops withdraw from four regions Moscow claims to have annexed. These demands, which violate international law, also include Ukraine abandoning its bid to join NATO. Despite recent gains in Donetsk and Luhansk, Russian forces do not fully control these regions or the other two—Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, who attended the summit with Harris, condemned Putin’s demands as morally unacceptable. “No responsible nation could say that is a reasonable basis for peace,” Sullivan stated.
