Leaders from around the world are convening in Switzerland this weekend for a crucial conference aimed at advancing peace efforts in Ukraine. The conference, hosted by Swiss officials at the Bürgenstock resort overlooking Lake Lucerne, will bring together over 50 heads of state and government, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Notably absent from the gathering is Russian President Vladimir Putin's government, which has been at the center of the conflict since invading Ukraine in February 2022. The absence of Russia has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the conference, with critics pointing out the importance of Russian participation in any peace process.
Key figures attending the conference include U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as foreign ministers from Turkey and Saudi Arabia. While some developing countries like Brazil, India, and South Africa will be represented at lower levels, China, a supporter of Russia, is among the countries choosing not to participate.
The agenda for the conference includes discussions on nuclear safety, humanitarian assistance, exchange of prisoners of war, and global food security. These topics, while important, fall short of the comprehensive peace proposals put forward by Zelenskyy in late 2022.
Russian forces currently control a significant portion of Ukrainian territory in the east and south, making recent territorial gains. The conflict has disrupted global food security due to impeded shipments through the Black Sea, adding urgency to the discussions at the conference.
While hopes for a breakthrough at the conference remain tempered, Ukraine and its allies are using the platform to highlight Russia's aggression and the need for a restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity. The International Crisis Group has cautioned that the conference may not yield significant results but underscores the importance of condemning Russia's actions as a violation of international law.
