OBBÜERGEN, Switzerland — Nearly 90 countries and organizations, half from Europe, have confirmed attending the Swiss-hosted Ukraine peace summit over the weekend despite Russia’s refusal to participate, Switzerland’s president said Monday.
Viola Amherd told reporters in the Swiss capital, Bern, that the summit, on Saturday and Sunday, will aim to chart a path toward possible peace nearly 28 months after Russian forces invaded Ukraine and the war grinding on.
“This is not about propaganda,” said Amherd. “This is about the basis of humanitarian aid provided by Switzerland, based on fostering peace (and) to provide a platform to initiate a dialogue.”
The Swiss president added that most participants would be top country leaders, with about half represented at the head of state or government level, and “a handful” from organizations like the United Nations.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are expected to attend the summit at the Bürgenstock resort overlooking Lake Lucerne in the village of Obbürgen.
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will take part on behalf of the United States. President Joe Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, will join Harris as part of the U.S. delegation.
About 160 invitations have been sent out and Amherd said it was not a “disappointment” for the Swiss government that fewer than 100 have so far announced participation in the first phase of the peace process.
Swiss authorities said the final list of participants was expected by Friday, but key developing countries like Turkey, South Africa and Brazil haven’t indicated whether they would attend. India they said, will take part but it isn’t clear at which level.
Brazil and China said they wouldn’t take part unless both sides – including Russia – were at the table, according to Swiss officials. Beijing has been one of the top supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin since the war started, and has said the criteria for its participation will be “hard to meet.”
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis also addressed reporters, saying Switzerland has repeatedly acknowledged that there cannot be a peace process without Russia. “The question is not whether Russia will be on board, the question is when.”
He also said Switzerland is in frequent contact with authorities in Moscow about the conference.
Ukraine has helped coordinate the summit, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend. Cassis said Swiss officials had to balance considerations that Ukraine might not have attended if Russia was represented.
Zelenskyy has gone on a diplomatic push to try and lure attendees to the summit. He has also accused China and Russia of trying to undermine it. The Swiss-hosted conference follows on the heels of the G7 summit in neighboring Italy.
Swiss officials say the conference aims to set a course toward “lasting peace” in Ukraine, to reach a “common understanding” toward getting there, and draw up the “roadmap” on how to get both sides involved in talks. Nuclear security, humanitarian aid and food security are also on the summit’s agenda.
As many as 4,000 military personnel will be deployed to provide security and support air transportation, surveillance and roll out security fencing and steel wire for the event, officials said, adding that an increase in cyberattacks in the run-up to the summit was noted, but didn’t provide details.
Despite Russia’s absence, a total of 90 countries are set to participate in a Swiss-hosted peace summit aimed at finding a resolution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The summit, which is scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, will bring together world leaders, diplomats, and representatives from various international organizations to discuss ways to end the violence and restore stability in the region.
The absence of Russia, a key player in the conflict, has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the summit. However, organizers remain optimistic that progress can still be made without the participation of the Russian government.
The conflict in Ukraine began in 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and supported separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine. The fighting has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions of people. Despite several attempts at peace talks, the situation remains volatile and a lasting solution has yet to be found.
The Swiss-hosted summit is seen as a crucial opportunity to bring together key stakeholders and foster dialogue in order to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The participation of 90 countries demonstrates the international community’s commitment to finding a solution and bringing an end to the suffering of the Ukrainian people.
Among the countries expected to participate are the United States, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, as well as representatives from the European Union and the United Nations. The summit will provide a platform for these countries to discuss their respective roles in supporting Ukraine and promoting peace in the region.
While the absence of Russia is a significant setback, it is important for the international community to continue working towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine. The Swiss-hosted summit represents a critical opportunity to build momentum towards a lasting peace agreement and bring an end to the violence that has plagued the region for far too long.
In conclusion, the participation of 90 countries in the Swiss-hosted Ukraine peace summit is a positive step towards finding a resolution to the conflict. Despite Russia’s absence, world leaders remain committed to working together to bring an end to the violence and restore stability in Ukraine. The summit provides an important opportunity for dialogue and cooperation among key stakeholders, and it is hoped that progress can be made towards a lasting peace agreement.
