The unit around Kyiv in the face of the Russian aggression with which the Conference for Peace in Ukraine, which has managed to bring together representatives from a hundred countries this weekend in Switzerland, has not been reflected in the final declaration from the summit. The lack of consensus has caused that in the document, of which up to twelve countries have been removedIt has been avoided all condemnation of Russia and such crucial issues as the possible exit from the conflict, how troop withdrawals from both sides would be managed or whether Ukraine could join the conflict have been omitted. NATO.
After two days of negotiations, the heads of State and Government meeting in Buergenstock are convinced that war, a term that Moscow rejects, launched by Russia continues to cause “large-scale human suffering and destruction” and “creating risks and crises with global repercussions for the world” and must stop. However, not all countries gathered by Volodomir Zelensky agree on solutions to end a conflict which has lasted for more than two years.
The differences have been palpable in the two days of discussions and reflections. While the European partnerswho feel directly threatened by this war on their continent, have clearly positioned themselves against Vladimir Putin, the rulers of countries in other regions have shown themselves more inclined to ensure that there is peace both kyiv and Moscow must make concessionswhich both parties reject.
Given these discrepancies, the final declaration It makes no reference to how the conflict should end, nor does it address thornier issues such as Ukraine’s eventual entry into NATO, one of the red lines marked by Moscow.
It also does not address clearly how this process that began this weekend in Switzerland will continueconceived as the prelude to possible peace negotiations with the participation of Russia, nor does it set a deadline for a next meeting.
From the text up to twelve of the attendees have distanced themselves from their signature. Among these are India and South Africa – which are part, along with Russia and China, of the group of emerging economies, known as the BRICS -, as well as Mexico.
Armenia, Bahrain, Indonesia, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates also did not join the final declaration, while 80 countries did sign the document, including the vast majority of countries in the European Union, the United States, Japan, Argentina , Chile and Ecuador. Brazil, which is an observer, has not signed the document either.
End of nuclear blackmail
In the text, the signatories claim a path to peace based on international law and the Charter of the United Nations and express their support for territorial integrity of Ukraine.
“In particular, we reaffirm our commitment to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, the principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all States, including Ukraine, within their internationally recognized borders, including territorial waters, and the resolution of disputes by peaceful means as principles of international law.
This respect for the territorial integrity of Ukraine would clash with the proposal for a ceasefire raised on Friday by Putin in which he placed as an indispensable condition that kyiv to withdraw from the annexed regions from Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
World leaders also demand end of nuclear blackmail. “Any threat or use of nuclear weapons in the context of the ongoing war against Ukraine is inadmissible,” the text states. The text also argues that The Zaporizhia nuclear power plant must operate under complete Ukrainian control, while calling for security for the transit of goods through the Black Sea.
The second major issue addressed by statement is food safetyurging that Russia stop using it as a “weapon” and restore free and safe access to commercial ships in ports and maritime corridors.
He third and final point demands the release of all prisoners through a complete exchange and the return of all illegally detained Ukrainian civilians, which would include return of deported childrenabout 20,000 according to kyiv.
Zelensky opens the door to a second summit
After the Conference closed, President Zelensky stated that the countries meeting in Switzerland had agreed to continue working in special groups after the meeting and that, once the “action plans for peace” were ready, The way to a second summit would be opened.
“It was agreed to start working in special post-summit groups on ideas, proposals and specific developments that can restore security in various aspects,” the Ukrainian leader said at a press conference.
“When the action plans for peace are ready and each step is worked out, the way will be opened for the second peace summit“.
Numerous countries in Europe, the Middle East and Latin America have proposed to organize such meetings, which will be the prelude to the call for a second peace summit.
Add Comment