The Swiss-hosted summit aimed to plot the first steps towards peace in Ukraine, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy optimistic about “history being made” despite Russia’s absence. Over 50 heads of state and government, along with various senior government leaders and envoys, attended the conference in the hopes of working towards peace, even though Russia’s presence was sorely missed. Russian President Vladimir Putin laid out conditions for ending the war, but Kyiv dismissed them as manipulative and absurd. Key countries like Turkey and Saudi Arabia sent their foreign ministers, while China backed Russia and did not participate in the conference.
Zelenskyy led a diplomatic push to draw participants to the summit, focusing on issues like nuclear safety, humanitarian assistance, a prisoner of war exchange, and global food security. This to-do list was less ambitious than Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace formula from late 2022, which included the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. Putin wants a peace deal based on an earlier draft agreement that includes provisions for Ukraine’s neutral status and limits on its armed forces. Despite Putin’s demands regarding NATO and the annexation of Ukrainian territories by Russia, Ukraine is currently unable to negotiate from a position of strength due to the changing situation on the battlefield.
The International Crisis Group stated that the summit is unlikely to deliver significant results, but it provided an opportunity for Ukraine and its allies to underscore Russia’s aggression, which violates international law. China and Brazil had previously agreed on six common understandings for a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, which involved supporting an international peace conference with equal participation from Russia and Ukraine. The absence of Russia at the summit was a point of intrigue, with many questioning the effectiveness of the meeting without its involvement. Despite Putin’s accusations of the summit being a ploy to divert attention, Ukraine’s allies seek to shift the focus back to Russia’s breach of international law and the restoration of Ukraine’s territory.
The summit presented three main agenda items: nuclear safety, humanitarian assistance and a prisoner of war exchange, and global food security. These topics were chosen for their less controversial nature compared to the broader peace proposals put forth by Zelenskyy and Putin. The situation on the battlefield has shifted, with Russia gaining momentum despite being unable to achieve its maximalist objectives quickly through military means. Analysts note that many countries attending the summit may question whether Zelenskyy’s peace formula still holds weight given the changing dynamics of the conflict. Overall, the Swiss summit provided an opportunity for dialogue and diplomatic efforts towards peace in Ukraine, despite the challenges posed by Russia’s absence and differing priorities between the involved parties.
