78 Nations Support Ukraine's Territorial Integrity for Peace Talks

Nearly 80 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 this call during a recent conference held in Switzerland. The conference aimed to pave the way for diplomacy and peace, but the absence of Russia, which was not invited, raised questions about the future of these efforts.Since President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the ongoing war has resulted in the deaths or injuries of hundreds of thousands of people. It has also disrupted markets for goods like grain and fertilizer, displaced millions of individuals from their homes, and strained relations between the West and Russia, China, and other countries. The conference, attended by about 100 delegations, including presidents and prime ministers from various Western countries, was seen as a crucial first step towards achieving peace.However, some notable countries such as India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates did not sign the final document. The document focused on issues such as nuclear safety, food security, and the exchange of prisoners. China did not attend the conference at all. The final document emphasized the importance of respecting Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty as a basis for achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace. This stance has been a nonstarter for Putin, who seeks further territorial concessions from Ukraine and wants them to abandon their aspirations of joining NATO.The Swiss president, Viola Amherd, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the conference and highlighted that the majority of participants agreed to the final document. She emphasized that diplomacy can achieve significant results. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hailed the meeting as a positive step towards peace and revealed that Ukraine was in talks with certain countries that had offered to host a second peace summit. However, no specific timetable was provided.Despite the conference's positive developments, it is clear that not all countries are fully committed to the peace process. The absence of Russia and the reluctance of some developing nations to sign the final document indicate the challenges ahead. Some experts believe that these countries may be playing a delicate balancing act between Russia, China, and Western powers supporting Ukraine. They may also be seeking concessions from Ukraine rather than holding Russia accountable.Moving forward, Ukraine's allies must maintain momentum towards peace. Zelenskyy mentioned that national security advisers would meet in the future to devise a specific plan. However, it is crucial for Ukraine to receive aid in the form of weapons and humanitarian assistance to improve its position on the ground and strengthen its negotiating power.The conference in Switzerland demonstrated the delicate balance between taking a tough stance on Russia while also leaving room for their involvement in a peace initiative. Many countries expressed a desire for Russia's participation, but there were differing opinions on how to engage with Russian leaders. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Union's executive Commission, criticized Putin's approach, stating that he is not serious about ending the war and is demanding unreasonable terms from Ukraine.Despite skepticism about the conference's concrete impact on ending the war, it did yield some positive outcomes. Qatar hosted talks between Ukrainian and Russian delegations on reuniting Ukrainian children with their families. So far, 34 children have been successfully reunited. The Ukrainian government estimates that over 19,000 children have been deported or forcibly displaced, with at least 2,000 taken from Ukrainian orphanages.While hopes for a breakthrough at the conference were tempered by the absence of Russia and the differing stances of participating countries, there is still optimism that progress can be made towards achieving peace in Ukraine. The next steps will involve continued diplomatic efforts, aid to improve Ukraine's situation on the ground, and ongoing negotiations with all relevant parties involved in the conflict.