A summit attended by representatives of 80 countries recently concluded with a joint communique emphasizing the importance of the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine as the foundation for any peace agreement to end the ongoing war with Russia. While some key developing nations did not participate in the conference, the statement highlighted the significance of upholding Ukraine’s sovereignty and called for a just and lasting peace in the region. The event, held at the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland, brought together around 100 delegations, primarily from Western nations, to discuss various issues including nuclear safety, food security, and prisoner exchanges.
Despite the absence of Russia, which was not invited to the summit, participants expressed hope that the country would eventually join efforts to establish a roadmap for peace. Countries like India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates opted not to sign the final document, which stressed the importance of respecting territorial integrity and sovereignty in Ukraine. Analysts believe that while the conference may not directly impact the war due to Russia’s exclusion, it served to draw attention back to the conflict amid other global concerns such as the situation in Gaza and national elections.
The summit also focused on highlighting the plight of Ukrainian children who have been deported or forcibly displaced as a result of the war. The Ukrainian government estimates that nearly 19,546 children have been affected, with at least 2,000 taken from orphanages. Speakers at the conference, including Montenegro’s Prime Minister Milojko Spajic, expressed deep concern for the well-being of these children and emphasized the urgency of reuniting them with their families and returning them to Ukraine. Discussions also highlighted the importance of international collaboration and support in addressing the humanitarian crisis and working towards a lasting resolution to the conflict.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the key issues addressed at the summit as “minimum conditions” for negotiations with Russia, suggesting that addressing broader areas of disagreement would pose greater challenges. While the summit did not include representation from Russia or its key ally China, it aimed to lay the groundwork for future discussions and potential reconciliation efforts. Qatar’s prime minister noted the successful reunification of 34 Ukrainian children through talks hosted by his country and stressed the need for continued global engagement and support to address the ongoing crisis.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized the importance of international collaboration in condemning Russia’s actions in Ukraine and calling for their reversal. He underscored the need for a unified voice from diverse nations to denounce Russia’s conduct and urged countries to step up their efforts to address the humanitarian and security concerns in Ukraine. The joint communique issued by the participating countries highlighted the shared commitment to upholding the principles of the U.N. Charter and respecting the territorial integrity of Ukraine as essential components of any future peace agreement. As efforts continue to address the conflict and its humanitarian consequences, the summit served as a platform for global leaders to reaffirm their support for Ukraine and work towards a sustainable resolution to the ongoing crisis.
