The majority of countries gathered in Switzerland for the summit on peace in Ukraine reaffirmed on June 16 their support for the integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. They also call for Russia to be involved in the peace process, which was absent from the summit.
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The first peace summit in Ukrainewho stands in Swiss without Russia, calls “ to involve all parties » to the conflict to put an end to hostilities, according to the final press release of which AFP obtained a copy. The text, which is supported by the vast majority of the hundred participants, also reaffirms “ the principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all States, includingUkraine. »
“ We believe that achieving peace requires participation and dialogue between all parties ”, we can read in the text in English. “ We have therefore decided to take concrete steps in the future in the above-mentioned areas with increased engagement of representatives of all parties », he adds.
The absence of Russia – which continued to denigrate the meeting and which was therefore not invited by the Swiss hosts – was deplored by several of the participants in this summit, notably Saudi Arabia or again the Kenya.
Read alsoSummit for peace in Ukraine: from Switzerland, Volodymyr Zelensky appears confident
Around 80 countries support the final declaration
According to a count visible on the official screen in the press room, around 80 countries support the final declaration. THE BrazilL’IndiaSaudi Arabia in particular were absent at the start of the afternoon.
The press release also emphasizes that “ food security must not be militarized in any way “. The invasion of Ukraine – one of the world’s main grain exporters – had dramatic repercussions on supplies, particularly in poor countries, and also on inflation. The virtual cessation of Russian fertilizer exports had the same effect at the start of the conflict.
The final communiqué also demands the release “by complete exchange” of prisoners of war, but also “ of all Ukrainian children deported and illegally displaced “. The text also demands that all illegally detained Ukrainian civilians must be returned to Ukraine.
Russia is not ready “for a just peace”, accuses the Ukrainian president
Russia and its leaders are not ready for a just peace. It is a fact “, accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky this Sunday, June 16, following a Peace Summit in Switzerland, which provided strong support for the integrity of his country. “ We have to do our job, let’s not think about Russia, let’s do what we have to do “, said the Ukrainian president. Russia can negotiate peace tomorrow, if it withdraws from our territory », added Volodymyr Zelensky.
Volodymyr Zelensky also affirmed that Ukraine was “not not the enemy » from China, in response to a question about its relations with Beijing. China is an ally of Russia and has been accused of contributing to the Russian war effort by supplying components. Beijing chose not to attend this weekend’s peace summit because Moscow was absent. “ China could help usr,” stressed the Ukrainian president.
On X (formerly Twitter), Volodymyr Zelensky says he thanked the president of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo for having participated in the summit and stressed that “the voice ofAfrica at the Summit is very important” for Ukraine.
During my meeting with Ghana’s President @NAkufoAddoI thanked him for attending the Global Peace Summit.
Africa’s voice at the Summit is very important to us.
We discussed the next steps to implement the Peace Formula. I proposed to hold one of the next meetings dedicated to… pic.twitter.com/pO92RTFquA
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 16, 2024