Ukraine Peace Summit: What the final declaration to end the war contains

It’s a strong message. The vast majority of countries participating in the first summit for peace in Ukraine organized in Switzerland agreed on a final declaration this Sunday, June 16, after two days of discussion. In a joint statement, nearly 80 of the countries present reiterated their support for the “sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity” of Ukraine, while recognizing that Moscow will have to be involved in the discussions to arrive “to a lasting and just peace”.

No surrender of Ukraine

While the Kremlin on Friday set Ukraine’s surrender as a condition for talks, summit participants reiterated that the territorial integrity of the invaded country must be respected in any deal to end the war. But “achieving peace requires participation and dialogue between all parties”as noted by the participants in this joint declaration of which AFP obtained a copy.

It must be said that Russia, which constantly denigrated the meeting, was not at the table of the negotiations which were held in the Swiss seaside resort of Burgenstock. An absence deplored by several of the participants in this summit, notably Saudi Arabia and Kenya. According to a count visible on the official screen in the press room, 84 countries and institutions supported the final declaration. No member of BRICS, this group close to Moscow, is among them.

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Which did not prevent the vast majority of participants gathered since Saturday in a hotel complex from agreeing on “concrete measures” in some areas, “with increased commitment from representatives of all parties.” These are essentially based on the points of Volodymyr Zelensky’s peace plan presented at the end of 2022 which there is consensus and on UN resolutions. Food security, nuclear security and certain fundamental rights are particularly concerned.

Thus, the press release emphasizes that “Food security must not be militarized in any way”, while the invasion of Ukraine had dramatic repercussions on the wheat supply. Discussions included not only the destruction of fertile land, but also the risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance. “Finding a political solution in Ukraine remains crucial to stabilizing food prices on the global market,” emphasized Switzerland.

Nuclear and food safety

The working group also addressed the issue of nuclear safety, one of the priorities of this meeting for Paris. The final text therefore calls on Ukraine to have a “total sovereign control” on the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, which fell into the hands of the Russians in March 2022. Finally, the participants demand the release “by complete exchange” prisoners of war, but also “of all Ukrainian children deported and illegally displaced”. As a reminder, the deportation of children from occupied zones has put Vladimir Putin under an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for more than a year. The text also calls for all illegally detained Ukrainian civilians to be returned to Ukraine.

So many avenues aimed at putting an end to the biggest European conflict since the Second World War and which could allow Russia to negotiate peace as soon as possible. “tomorrow”, as Volodymyr Zelensky pointed out. Provided that this “withdraws” of Ukrainian territory. A proposal that has already been brushed aside by the head of the Kremlin. At the same time, Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson declared that it was up to kyiv to “to reflect on” to the call for surrender made Friday by the Russian president. It seems that, as the President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, pointed out, Moscow “is not interested in peace.”