Nearly 80 countries have called for Ukraine’s “territorial integrity” to be the foundation for any peace agreement to end Russia’s two-year war. This consensus emerged over the weekend at the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland, though some key developing nations did not endorse the joint communique.
The two-day conference, which Russia was not invited to, concluded with hopes that Russia might eventually participate in peace discussions. The conflict, initiated by President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties, disrupted global markets for goods like grain and fertilizer, displaced millions, and deepened the divide between the West and Russia, along with its allies China and others.
Around 100 delegations, primarily from Western countries, attended the conference. High-profile attendees included presidents and prime ministers from France, Germany, Britain, Japan, Poland, Argentina, Ecuador, Kenya, and Somalia, along with representatives from the Holy See and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris.
Notably, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates, represented by foreign ministers or lower-level envoys, did not sign the final document. Brazil, present as an observer, also refrained from signing, while Turkey did. China did not attend the conference.
The final document, endorsed by 78 countries, asserted that the United Nations Charter and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty are essential for achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine. This stance contrasts with Putin’s demands for Ukraine to cede more territory and abandon its NATO aspirations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the meeting as “first steps toward peace” and mentioned ongoing talks with unspecified countries about hosting a “second peace summit.” However, no specific timetable was provided.