Switzerland to Host Ukraine Peace Summit in June, Excluding Russia

Switzerland is set to host a Ukraine peace conference on June 15-16 at the Burgenstock resort above Lake Lucerne, inviting 160 national delegations to participate in the talks. However, Russia has been excluded "at this stage" of the negotiations, a decision justified by Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba based on the country's past experiences with Moscow.

Why this matters: The outcome of this peace summit has significant implications for global security and the future of international relations, as it may set a precedent for resolving conflicts between nations. A successful peace process could also lead to a reduction in global tensions and a more stable world order.

Kuleba stated,"Our approach comes from reality, and from the experience that we (have) gained... Between 2014 and 2022, we had almost 200 rounds of talks with Russia in different formats, with mediators and bilaterally. He emphasized that these talks led to the large-scale invasion of 2022, highlighting the need for a different approach in the current peace process.

Despite Russia's exclusion, the Swiss government believes that Moscow should be involved in the process "sooner or later," as"a peace process without Russia is not possible. However, Russia has already stated that it would not participate under any circumstances, citing its stance on Ukraine acknowledging the annexation of approximately 20% of its territory.

The founding principles of the Ukraine peace summit are centered around the country's 10-point peace formula, which includes the withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine's territory, the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, the release of all prisoners of war and deportees, the prevention of ecocide in Ukraine, and the punishment of those responsible for war crimes.

President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that the summit aims to "achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace for Ukraine in accordance with the U.N. Charter and the norms of international law." The conference is expected to see participation from countries across continents, including members of the G7, G20, and BRICS group.

The attendance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Joe Biden is still uncertain, while China, a key ally of Moscow, has not confirmed its participation. The US has expressed doubts about China's readiness to accept Ukraine's peace formula, adding another layer of complexity to the peace process.

The Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland comes amid Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and follows the G7 summit, which will be held in Italy from June 13 to 15. The talks aim to establish a common understanding of a potential framework to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and jointly devise a roadmap for involving both parties in a future peace process.

International community gathering in Switzerland to discuss the path towards peace in Ukraine raises questions about the effectiveness of the process, given the exclusion of Russia from the initial stages of the negotiations. While the Swiss government and Ukraine have differing views on Moscow's involvement, the summit represents a significant step towards finding a resolution to the ongoing conflict.

Key Takeaways

• Switzerland to host Ukraine peace conference on June 15-16, excluding Russia.
• 160 national delegations invited to participate in the talks.
• Ukraine's 10-point peace formula includes Russian troop withdrawal and territorial integrity.
• Russia refuses to participate, citing Ukraine's refusal to acknowledge annexed territory.
• Summit aims to establish a framework for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.