Support for Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity
At a recent two-day summit held in Switzerland, eighty nations advocated for upholding Ukraine’s “territorial integrity” as the cornerstone for any future peace agreement. However, notably, several countries refrained from endorsing this stance.
High-profile figures such as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and France’s Emmanuel Macron were part of the approximately 100 delegations in attendance.
The primary aim of the summit was to resolve Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Notably, Russia was not present at the summit, and China, its main supporter, opted not to participate.
According to a spokesperson for Vladimir Putin, the Russian President has not ruled out discussions with Ukraine. However, the spokesperson emphasized the necessity of guarantees to ensure the credibility of any future negotiations.
Furthermore, reports from Kremlin forces in Ukraine claimed their successful seizure of a village in Zaporizhzhia.
Global Communique and Diverse Participation
A collective statement issued by 80 countries underlined the importance of the UN Charter and the significance of “respecting territorial integrity and sovereignty” as the foundation for achieving a comprehensive, equitable, and enduring peace in Ukraine.
The declaration highlighted the tremendous toll Russia’s militaristic activities in Ukraine have taken on human lives and infrastructure, resulting in significant global risks and crises.
Several countries, including India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates, refrained from endorsing the final agreement. The document concentrated on crucial matters such as nuclear safety, food security, and the exchange of detainees.
Moreover, Brazil, designated as an observer, similarly chose not to sign on to the accord. Together with China, Brazil has been exploring alternative avenues to achieve peace in the region.
Continued Efforts for Peace
The summit, while a step forward in bringing peace to Ukraine, was acknowledged by Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, as just one phase in the journey towards lasting peace. She emphasized that Russian President Putin’s reluctance to engage in serious dialogue indicated a preference for Ukrainian capitulation and territorial concessions.
Despite the significant discussions at the conference, analysts caution that the absence of Russia, the primary antagonist in the conflict, might limit the practical impacts on resolving the war.
During the gathering, Montenegro’s Prime Minister, Milojko Spajic, expressed deep concern over the forcible displacement of thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia or Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories. He urged all attendees to intensify efforts to ensure the safe return of Ukrainian children to their homeland.
Rishi Sunak arrives at the peace conference. Pic: Reuters
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Efforts to achieve peace are ongoing, with incremental progress being made, signaling hope for a peaceful resolution in Ukraine’s challenging struggle for stability.
