The Ukraine “peace summit” in Switzerland appears to be faltering in its efforts to achieve its objectives, despite the participation of more than 90 countries. The summit, hosted by Ukraine, aimed to discuss the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and explore ways to bring about a resolution.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s primary goal is to force Russia into submission through economic isolation by other countries from the Global South. However, the absence of key players and the inability to secure unanimous support have hindered progress.
Key Attendees and Absences
While the summit saw participation from over 90 countries, notable absences included Russia, which was not invited, and China, a key ally of Russia, which chose not to attend. China’s absence was a significant setback for the summit’s success. Western powers and their allies jointly condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine but failed to persuade major non-aligned states to join their final statement.
Positions of Major Countries
Several influential countries withheld their support from the summit’s communique. Brazil attended only as an observer, while India, Indonesia, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa did not sign the summit communique, even though some contentious issues were omitted to garner broader support.
Reactions and Criticisms
Russia has consistently ridiculed the summit from afar. Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and now deputy chairman of the country’s Security Council, criticized the participants, saying, “None of the participants in the ‘peace forum’ knows what he is doing there and what his role is.”
Western Allies’ Support
Despite the challenges, the conference provided Kyiv with an opportunity to showcase the support it has from Western allies. Leaders such as U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and French President Emmanuel Macron gathered at the mountaintop resort of Buergenstock. U.S. President Joe Biden, who was in Europe for other events last week, did not attend despite public invitations from Zelenskiy.
Importance of the Summit
The summit is significant because it highlights the ongoing geopolitical tension and the complexity of the conflict. Russia has been pressuring Ukraine and its Western allies, particularly NATO members, with threats of a nuclear third-world war. This has increased the urgency for Ukraine to find a diplomatic resolution or gain an upper hand in the conflict. However, the fear of escalating the war into their territories has made many states cautious in taking definitive action against Russia.
Bottom Line
The Ukraine “peace summit” in Switzerland underscores the challenges in achieving a unified international stance against Russia’s aggression. The absence of key players like China, the reluctance of major non-aligned states to endorse the summit’s communique, and Russia’s dismissive attitude all contribute to the summit’s limited success. Despite these obstacles, Ukraine continues to leverage diplomatic efforts and the support of its Western allies to sustain its defense against a larger adversary.
