Additional Coverage:
- 80 countries at Swiss conference agree territorial integrity of Ukraine must be basis of any peace (newsbreak.com)
In an international summit held at the Bürgenstock resort in Switzerland, 80 nations united on Sunday to advocate for the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine as the cornerstone for any potential peace deal aimed at resolving Russia’s ongoing two-year conflict. The assembly, notably missing Russia’s presence due to not being invited, discussed future peace efforts amidst a situation that seems as tense as ever.
The conference, which brought together around 100 delegations from predominantly Western countries along with a few significant developing nations, didn’t see unanimous agreement. Nations like India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates abstained from signing the final communique, which emphasized nuclear safety, food security, and prisoner exchanges. Brazil, present as an “observer,” and Turkey also had varied stances on the agreement.
The closing statement highlighted the U.N. Charter’s principles of national sovereignty and territorial integrity as the foundation for a lasting and just peace in Ukraine—a proposition Russian President Vladimir Putin opposes, demanding further Ukrainian territory and preventing its NATO association.
Swiss President Viola Amherd and Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis reflected on the productive discussions, indicating plans to engage with Russian leaders without detailing their approach. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the initial peace efforts and suggested openness to additional countries supporting the UN Charter. Despite no fixed timeline, he mentioned ongoing dialogues for a possible second peace summit.
However, given the partial participation reflecting war fatigue and other distractions, the success in maintaining peace momentum in the face of continuing conflict and Russian advances remains uncertain. Despite this, leaders and analysts note the importance of such forums in attempting to bridge divides and uphold international law, even as concrete pathways to peace remain elusive.