Switzerland's government announced plans to host a high-level international conference on June 15-16 at the Bu¨rgenstock resort near Lucerne to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The conference aims to bring together top government officials from over 100 countries to discuss a path towards peace in Ukraine.
Swiss Foreign Minister emphasized the importance of involving Russia in the peace process, despite their absence from the initial meeting. The Swiss president highlighted that the conference is a crucial first step towards achieving lasting peace in Ukraine, with hopes for a follow-up gathering in the future.
Russian officials have expressed skepticism about the peace talks, emphasizing the need to consider Moscow's interests in any negotiations. President Putin has stated that Russia's goals must be met for peace to be achieved in Ukraine.
The United States is expected to participate in the conference, although specific details about their involvement have not been confirmed. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has presented a 10-point peace formula that includes the expulsion of Russian forces from Ukraine and accountability for war crimes.
Switzerland has engaged in early talks with the European Union and representatives from the Global South to facilitate the conference. The Swiss government is committed to leveraging its tradition of shuttle diplomacy to contribute to the peace process in Ukraine.
While uncertainties remain about the conference, efforts are being made to secure broad international support for the peace talks. China, a key player in the region, has presented its own proposal to end the conflict in Ukraine and has expressed support for a conference accepted by both Russia and Ukraine.
The Bu¨rgenstock resort, known for hosting diplomatic gatherings in the past, will serve as the venue for this critical conference. The international community is closely watching this initiative as a potential turning point in the efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
