80 Nations Support Ukraine's Territorial Integrity as Peace Basis at Swiss Meet

Eighty countries have called for the "territorial integrity" of Ukraine to be the foundation of any peace agreement to end Russia's two-year war. However, some key developing nations did not join in at a recent Swiss conference. The future of diplomacy remains uncertain as Russia was not invited to the conference. Despite this, many attendees expressed hope that Russia might participate in a road map to peace in the future.The conflict, which began with President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has had devastating consequences. It has resulted in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of thousands of people, disrupted markets for goods such as grain and fertilizers, displaced millions from their homes, and created a divide between the West and Russia, China, and other countries.The conference aimed to take the first step towards peace and was attended by about 100 delegations, mostly from Western countries. Presidents and prime ministers from France, Germany, Britain, Japan, Poland, Argentina, Ecuador, Kenya, Somalia, and representatives from the Holy See were present. Vice President Kamala Harris spoke on behalf of the United States. However, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates did not sign the final document.The final document emphasized the importance of the UN Charter and "respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty" as a basis for achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine. However, this has been a nonstarter for Putin, who wants Ukraine to cede more territory and abandon its aspirations to join NATO.While the majority of participants agreed to the final document, it is unclear what message Switzerland will convey to Russian authorities. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the meeting as a "first step toward peace" and revealed that Ukraine was in talks with countries that had offered to host a second peace summit. However, no timetable has been set.Despite war fatigue and other preoccupations, about half of the UN member countries participated in the conference. This is a significant decrease compared to March 2022 when 141 countries passed a non-binding resolution at the UN General Assembly calling for Russian troops to leave Ukraine.The reasons why some developing countries did not sign the final statement are unclear. However, it is possible that they are hesitant to upset Russia or have adopted a middle ground between Moscow, China, and Western powers supporting Kyiv. Volodymyr Dubovyk, a Ukraine expert, suggests that these countries may be playing a game of concessions, with Ukraine expected to make compromises.Moving forward, Ukraine's priority is to receive aid in the form of weapons and humanitarian assistance to improve its situation on the ground and strengthen its negotiating position. The challenge for the Swiss conference was to take a tough stance on Russia while also leaving the door open for its participation in a peace initiative.Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union's executive Commission, believes that peace will not be achieved in a single step and accuses Putin of not being serious about ending the war. She claims that he is demanding capitulation from Ukraine and wants to disarm the country, leaving it vulnerable to future aggression.Analysts are skeptical about the conference's concrete impact on ending the war due to Russia's absence. China and Brazil have been exploring alternative routes towards peace. Meanwhile, Qatar has hosted talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations on reuniting Ukrainian children with their families, resulting in 34 children being reunited so far.In Kyiv, relatives of soldiers captured by Russia expressed muted responses to the Swiss conference. While they hope for its impact, they are concerned that some important countries did not sign the communique. They urge powerful levers of influence on Russia to be found.The conference may not have achieved immediate results, but it serves as an important step towards peace. The international community must continue to work towards a resolution that respects Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty while addressing the concerns of all parties involved. Only through diplomatic efforts and cooperation can a lasting and just peace be achieved in Ukraine.