Ukraine peace impossible without Russia – Swiss FM — RT World News
Bern announced the holding of a major conference next June that seeks to end the conflict, a conference that Moscow does not plan to attend
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said that any diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukrainian conflict will be fruitless unless Russia participates in the process.
Switzerland plans to host a high-level peace conference in Ukraine in June 2024 at the Bürgenstock resort near Lake Lucerne, in pursuit of this. “To create a common understanding of an appropriate framework” To end conflict and create “Concrete road map” For peace.
Previous media reports indicated that up to 100 countries could attend the event. However, Russia has indicated that it will not attend, even if officially invited. She said the gathering would promote the “peace formula” put forward by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, which calls on Moscow to withdraw from all territories that Kiev claims as belonging to it, and to establish a court to try Russia for alleged war crimes. Moscow rejected this initiative and described it as… “Detached from reality.”
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Cassis noted that the conference would be organized at Zelensky's request, adding that there were sufficient conditions to launch a high-level campaign for peace.
The first country we talked to after Ukraine was of course Russia. Because no peace process can take place without Russia, even if it is not present at the first meeting.” He said.
The diplomat acknowledged the need for Moscow's participation “Sooner or later, but not necessarily from day one.” Which indicates that the first conference may focus on “How exactly to invite Russia and what role will you give it?”.
In response to these statements, Swiss President Viola Amherd warned that the success of the summit is by no means guaranteed. “The alternative is to do nothing… We will not sign a peace plan at this conference. “We believe there will be a second conference, but we want to start the process with this conference.”
While Moscow intends to boycott the peace conference hosted by Switzerland, it confirms that it is open to holding talks on Ukraine, either directly or with Kiev's Western backers.
But Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said last month that before any negotiations could begin, Kiev must lift its ban on dealing with the current Russian leadership. Zelensky signed a decree to this effect in the fall of 2022 after four former Ukrainian regions voted overwhelmingly in favor of joining Russia.
You can share this story on social media:
Source link
