Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has accused Russia of attempting to disrupt the upcoming global peace summit, scheduled for June 15-16 in Switzerland, aimed at resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Despite Russia’s efforts, Zelenskiy remains optimistic that the summit will produce a united front to pressure Russia and advance his “peace formula,” which calls for the withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraine’s 1991 borders.
Zelenskiy emphasized that nearly 100 countries and international organizations are now associated with global efforts to resolve the conflict, and Russia will no longer be able to disrupt the summit despite its attempts to do so. He alleged that Russia is putting pressure on leaders, openly threatening various countries with destabilization, which is a consequence of the world giving the “terrorist state” too much time.
Ukrainian officials from the government, parliament, and other institutions are working to ensure maximum participation and make the summit “truly effective, which is needed to bring real peace closer.” The summit’s Swiss hosts have not invited Russia, and Moscow has dismissed the event as pointless without its participation.
The Kremlin claims it is prepared to negotiate an end to the conflict and suggests starting with talks held in the war’s first weeks in 2022, which appeared close to an agreement before being rejected by Ukrainian negotiators. However, Moscow dismisses Zelenskiy’s plan as unworkable and insists that any discussion must take into account “new realities,” including Russia’s control of about 18% of Ukraine’s territory.
Russia annexed four Ukrainian regions several months after its full-scale invasion in February 2022, although it does not have full control over any of them. Zelenskiy’s “peace formula” aims to restore Ukraine’s borders to their pre-2014 state, which Russia has repeatedly rejected.
The upcoming summit is seen as a crucial step towards resolving the conflict, which has resulted in significant human suffering, economic devastation, and global instability. Zelenskiy’s determination to push forward with the summit despite Russian opposition reflects Ukraine’s commitment to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict.
The international community’s support for Ukraine is crucial in exerting pressure on Russia to negotiate a peaceful resolution. Zelenskiy’s efforts to unite countries and international organizations behind his “peace formula” demonstrate Ukraine’s willingness to engage in diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
Russia’s attempts to disrupt the summit and its refusal to participate in negotiations without preconditions highlight the challenges in resolving the conflict. However, Zelenskiy remains optimistic that the summit will produce a united front to pressure Russia and advance his “peace formula.”
The success of the summit depends on the participation and commitment of countries and international organizations to finding a peaceful solution to the conflict. Zelenskiy’s efforts to ensure maximum participation and make the summit “truly effective” are crucial in bringing real peace closer to Ukraine and the global community.
The upcoming peace summit is a critical step towards resolving the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Zelenskiy’s determination to push forward with the summit despite Russian opposition reflects Ukraine’s commitment to finding a peaceful solution, and the international community’s support is crucial in exerting pressure on Russia to negotiate a peaceful resolution.
