Russia said on Thursday (2) that it sees no point in a conference planned by Switzerland to discuss how to end the conflict in Ukraine, which is due to take place in mid-June and to which Moscow is not currently invited.
The Swiss government said that “at this stage” Russia is not among the dozens of countries invited, adding that while it was open to including Russia, Moscow had repeatedly stressed that it had no interest in the conversation.
Switzerland announced in January that it would host the summit at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stressed that Moscow does not see this as a credible initiative.
“We don’t understand what kind of milestone this peace conference is. What kind of conference can we talk about, what kind of serious conference with serious expectations of some kind of result, without the participation of Russia?” asked Peskov.
“This is completely impossible and it is clear that this is some type of initiative that is not focused on results”, he concluded.
The Swiss government, however, pointed out in a statement: “A peace process without Russia is not possible.”
Zelensky, in turn, stressed that invitations had been sent and described the meeting as “practically the first real opportunity to begin restoring a just peace.”
He said Russian President Vladimir Putin would try to derail the summit efforts “with manipulation and the force of his terrorists’ attacks.”
Zelensky's chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, noted on Ukrainian television that Kiev is making every effort to have China participate in the meeting.
“China is very important and consultations are constantly taking place at different levels with the participation of our partners”, he considered.
Ukraine sees no place for Russia at the summit
Ukraine's government has questioned the usefulness of Russia's participation in the event, which will take place on June 15-16 near the Swiss city of Lucerne.
“We know that it makes no sense to have Russia at the table [de negociações] if it is not possible to guarantee that they act in good faith”, highlighted the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Dmytro Kuleba, in an interview with Foreign Policy magazine published this week.
Kuleba said putting pressure on Russia on the battlefield and bringing together countries “that share principles” should help make Moscow more willing to talk.
Russian officials point to Switzerland's adoption of European Union sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine and argue that the country therefore lacks credibility as a neutral intermediary.
The Swiss government commented that the talks will be based on Zelensky's peace formula, calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops and holding Russia accountable for its actions, as well as other proposals based on the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law.
The invited delegations include members of the G7, G20, BRICS, the European Union, international organizations and two religious representatives, Switzerland said.
The summit aims to create a framework for lasting peace and a roadmap for Russia's participation in the process, he said.
“The overall objective of the meeting is to inspire a future peace process”, highlighted the Swiss government.
Direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine broke down in the first weeks after Russia's full-scale invasion on February 24, 2022.
Source: CNN Brasil
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