World leaders have convened in Switzerland for a summit aimed at exerting pressure on Russia to halt its military actions in Ukraine, yet the absence of key Moscow allies like China is expected to diminish its potential impact.
Expected attendees include United States Vice President Kamala Harris, along with leaders from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, joining Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the summit beginning on Saturday. Also participating are India, Turkey, and Hungary, nations with varying degrees of relations with Russia.
China’s decision to abstain comes after Russia was excluded from the summit due to dismissing it as futile and showing no interest in participation. This absence undermines Western efforts to isolate Russia, particularly amid recent setbacks for Ukrainian forces on the battlefield.
Richard Gowan, Director of the United Nations Office at the International Crisis Group, remarked on the summit’s potential limitations for Ukrainian diplomacy while acknowledging its platform to reaffirm principles aligned with the UN Charter.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz described the summit as a crucial step forward, focusing on peace and security issues, albeit recognizing its incremental nature. Polish President Andrzej Duda emphasized the summit’s goal of conveying the global threat posed by Russia to more distant nations.
Ahead of the summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin laid out conditions for ending the conflict, including Ukraine dropping NATO aspirations and ceding contested provinces, terms swiftly rebuffed by Kyiv and the US. This statement reflects Moscow’s growing confidence amid military gains in Ukraine.
Switzerland, at Zelenskyy’s request, hosts the summit aimed at laying groundwork for a future peace process involving Russia. Approximately 90 countries and organizations are engaged in the two-day gathering at Buergenstock, central Switzerland, underscoring global efforts to address the ongoing crisis.
