Kyiv will engage in peace talks with Russia tomorrow if Moscow withdraws from all Ukrainian territories, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
During a peace summit in Switzerland, Zelensky stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not voluntarily end the war and must be stopped by any means, whether military or diplomatic. He emphasized that Western aid alone was insufficient to win the war but highlighted that the summit demonstrated strong international support for Ukraine.
The summit concluded with many countries affirming Ukraine’s territorial integrity. A final document blamed Russia for the widespread suffering and destruction caused by the war. However, nations such as India, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia did not sign it.
The summit aimed to gather broad international support for a process to end the war in Ukraine. More than 90 countries and international organizations attended, but Russia and its ally China were absent, leading to doubts about the summit’s effectiveness.
Some attendees, including Saudi Arabia and Kenya, were not Ukraine’s closest supporters. The final document called for the restoration of Ukrainian control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and the country’s ports on the Azov Sea, both occupied by Russia. It also labeled Russia’s actions as a “war,” a term Moscow rejects, and demanded the return of prisoners and abducted children.
The most contentious issues, such as the status of Russian-occupied lands, were deferred for future discussions. Zelensky thanked world leaders for attending, expressing gratitude for their independence despite Russian pressure.
He reiterated that Ukraine had always advocated for peace and stated that Moscow’s presence at negotiations would indicate a genuine willingness for peace. Zelensky also stressed that China was not Ukraine’s enemy, calling on Beijing to engage seriously in peace proposals.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte remarked that the attendees were united in their quest for peace in Ukraine, emphasizing shared principles and values. He condemned the invasion of another country, the abduction of children, the politicization of the world’s food supply, and the endangerment of nuclear safety.
It was expected that all delegations would endorse a final statement condemning Russia’s invasion, but Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer noted that unanimous support was not achieved.
Zelensky stated that the results of the Swiss summit would be communicated to Moscow, hoping that the next peace summit could mark the end of the war. Russia dismissed the event as a waste of time, and Putin suggested a ceasefire if Ukraine withdrew troops from four contested regions. Western leaders at the summit rejected Putin’s proposal, calling it propaganda. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said Putin did not rule out talks but required guarantees for their credibility, excluding Zelensky as a participant.