The Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland ended with mixed results as only 80 of the 93 participating states approved the final declaration at the end of the two-day event on Sunday.
Six countries from the G20 group of the world’s leading economic powers – Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, India and Indonesia – did not support the communiqué, according to a list published by the Swiss host countries.
The statement, which spans just over two pages, condemns the threat of nuclear weapons, calls for the return of kidnapped Ukrainian children and demands unhindered grain exports from Ukraine.
The final declaration does not specify plans for a follow-up conference, but emphasizes the need for dialogue with Russia to achieve peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke of a second summit within months, with several countries expressing interest in hosting it. Saudi Arabia is considered a leading candidate.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed that Russia’s participation requires its commitment to the UN Charter.
Armenia, Bahrain, Thailand, Libya, the United Arab Emirates, Colombia and the Vatican also did not support the document released at the Bürgenstock mountain hotel near Lucerne.
Brazil, India, South Africa and the UAE are united with Russia in the so-called BRICS group and maintain friendly relations with Russia, despite the large-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The draft final declaration took this into account and did not explicitly condemn Moscow for its actions or call for a withdrawal from Ukraine.
Instead, it recalls the Charter of the United Nations: “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 text reads .
The principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all states, including Ukraine, must be respected, the report said.
The signatories also support the protection of the Ukrainian nuclear power plant in Zaporizhia, which is occupied by Russia, and agree that any threat to use nuclear weapons should be condemned.
They also call for unhindered grain exports from Ukraine, which is especially important for poor countries.
The statement also calls for the exchange of prisoners of war and the return of children and other civilians abducted from Ukraine to Russia.
Earlier in the day, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer anticipated incomplete support for the document, while downplaying its significance.
According to Nehammer, this was only due to its precise wording, and not due to a lack of support for efforts to broker peace in Ukraine.
The basic common position would not be affected, he said: “That’s why I’m not so worried if everyone doesn’t sign now.”
According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, the conference as such has brought significant progress.
Kuleba said all countries that were not present were also aware of the impetus given by the meeting. Overall, the process that has been initiated is very welcome, he said: “We are on the right track.”
Swiss President Viola Amherd acknowledged the diverse perspectives at the conference, but emphasized that it marked the first high-level discussion on a peace process. Some substantive conditions had been created for a path to an end to the war in Ukraine, she said.
The event aimed to initiate a peace process that would also involve Russia in the long term. Moscow officials were not invited to this occasion nor had they expressed a desire to attend.
The summit was also an attempt by the West to involve other countries in South America, Asia and Africa in peace efforts based on international law. Ukraine calls for a “just and lasting” peace.
