BUERGENSTOCK, Switzerland. World leaders convened at a picturesque Swiss mountain resort on Saturday to rally international backing for Ukraine’s peace proposals. The summit, however, faced notable absences, with U.S. President Joe Biden, China, and Russia dismissing the event.
Despite over 90 countries participating, the absence of China has cast a shadow on the summit’s ability to portray Russia as globally isolated. Ukraine’s recent military setbacks and the ongoing Gaza conflict have further complicated the diplomatic landscape.
The summit’s discussions are centered on broader issues arising from the conflict, including food and nuclear security. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy heralded the summit’s diverse attendance as a significant achievement, predicting “history being made” and emphasizing the summit’s role in future peacemaking efforts.
“Ukraine never wanted this war. It’s a criminal and absolutely unprovoked aggression by Russia,” Zelenskiy stated alongside Swiss President Viola Amherd. Amherd condemned the conflict for bringing “unimaginable suffering” and violating international law.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the summit as a crucial step for discussing peace and security. “This is a small plant that needs to be watered, but of course also with the perspective that more can then come out of it,” Scholz told Welt TV.
In Biden’s stead, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris attended, much to Kyiv’s chagrin. Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was represented by his foreign minister, and India sent a lower-level delegation. China’s absence followed Russia’s exclusion from the proceedings.
During her meeting with Zelenskiy, Harris announced over $1.5 billion in energy and humanitarian aid for Ukraine. “This war remains an utter failure for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin,” she asserted.
As leaders arrived by helicopter at the luxury Buergenstock resort overlooking Lake Lucerne, security measures included a military helicopter and a fenced-off landing area.
On the eve of the summit, Putin reiterated Russia’s demands for ending the conflict, including Ukraine abandoning its NATO aspirations and ceding four provinces. Kyiv quickly rejected these terms as tantamount to surrender. Scholz dismissed Putin’s demands as a tactical ploy to disrupt the peace conference.
“Everyone knows that this is not a serious proposal,” Scholz remarked in a separate TV interview.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova countered, claiming Putin’s proposal represented “the real path to peace” and urging global leaders to consider it.
Zelenskiy has accused Beijing of undermining the summit to assist Moscow, a charge China’s Foreign Ministry denied.
Leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Canada, and Japan attended, along with Turkey and Hungary, which have maintained closer ties with Russia. Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer highlighted the summit as an opportunity to build a broader global consensus to pressure Russia.
“It’s like we’re in a Western echo chamber,” Nehammer said. “All Western European countries, the USA, we agree on what we want to happen with Ukraine. But that alone is not enough.”
Neutral Switzerland, hosting the summit at Zelenskiy’s request, aims to pave the way for a future peace process involving Russia, with Saudi Arabia or Turkey as potential hosts.
Bob Deen, a senior research fellow at the Clingendael Institute, warned that Ukraine risks losing the initiative if it delays engaging with broader diplomatic efforts. “If Ukraine waits too long, it might end up with rival formats popping up,” Deen noted.
Supporters of Ukraine marked the talks with events in nearby Lucerne, highlighting the war’s humanitarian impact. About 250 people gathered in the city center, many draped in Ukrainian flags and carrying pictures of missing loved ones.
“I’m clinging to the idea that my husband is still alive,” said Svitlana Bilous, whose soldier husband has been missing for over 14 months. “That’s what keeps me going.”
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
