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| Mr Zelensky wants to present the summit's proposals to Russia |
World leaders gathered at the Ukraine summit for peace in Switzerland are exploring measures to secure nuclear sites and ensure Ukraine's food exports. They aim to adopt a final communique squarely attributing the widespread suffering and destruction of the war to Russia, which Kyiv views as a critical achievement. However, Austria's leader has indicated that unanimous support for the declaration is unlikely among participants.
Over 90 countries and international organizations are participating in the summit, aimed at garnering broad support for a process that could lead to an end to the conflict in Ukraine. Notably absent are Russia, which was not invited, and China, a major supporter of Russia, raising doubts about the summit's efficacy.
Among those gathered in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, are countries not traditionally aligned closely with Ukraine, such as Saudi Arabia, whose foreign minister cautioned that Ukraine must be prepared to make difficult compromises, and Kenya, which voiced opposition to recent sanctions against Russia.
A draft of the final document, seen by Reuters, calls for the restoration of Ukrainian control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and ports on the Azov Sea currently occupied by Russia. It also labels Russia's actions as a "war," a term Moscow rejects. Humanitarian issues such as the return of prisoners and abducted children are also on the agenda, while more contentious topics like the status of land under Russian occupation will be addressed later.
The summit organizers hope to announce a second conference, potentially in Saudi Arabia, to build upon the progress made. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte emphasized that while opinions on achieving peace in Ukraine may differ, the attendees share common principles and values.
While initial expectations were for unanimous condemnation of Russia's invasion in the final statement, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer indicated that consensus would not be achieved. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the summit's outcomes would be conveyed to Moscow in preparation for a subsequent peace summit to definitively end the war.
Russia has dismissed the Swiss event as futile, with President Vladimir Putin proposing a ceasefire contingent upon Ukraine withdrawing troops from disputed regions, a proposal rejected by Western leaders at the summit. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov later indicated that while talks with Ukraine were possible, guarantees would be necessary to ensure credibility, questioning President Zelensky's role in the process.
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