World leaders at the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland are seeking to ensure the security of Ukraine’s nuclear sites and food exports.
They are seeking to pass a final communiqué that blames Russia for widespread suffering and destruction during the war, which Kiev considers a success.
But the Austrian leader said the declaration was not expected to receive unanimous support from participating parties.
More than 90 countries and international organizations are attending the summit aimed at generating the broadest possible support for a process that could help end the war in Ukraine.
Russia was not invited and its biggest backer China was not present, leaving some doubting the summit’s effectiveness.
Some of those gathered at the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock were not Ukraine’s closest supporters, including Saudi Arabia, whose foreign minister has warned that Ukraine will have to make difficult compromises , and Kenya, which has spoken out against recent sanctions against Russia.
The final draft document, seen by Reuters news agency, calls for restoring Ukraine’s control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and its ports on the Sea of Azov, both currently occupied by Russia.
It also refers to the Russian invasion as a “war,” a label that Moscow has rejected.
Humanitarian issues such as the return of prisoners and kidnapped children are also being discussed.
The most controversial topics, such as the status of land under Russian occupation, will be left for later.
Summit organizers hope to announce a second conference, possibly in Saudi Arabia, to build on what has been achieved.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that attendees were united in their efforts to find peace in Ukraine.
“We all know that we are only at the beginning, the beginning of the road to peace,” he said.
“And although some of us sitting around this table have different views on how to achieve peace for Ukraine, make no mistake… we are completely united in a common vision of the principles, values and decency.
“You don’t invade another country. You don’t kidnap children. You don’t play politics with the world’s food supply. And you don’t jeopardize nuclear safety.”
It was expected that all delegations would endorse a final statement condemning the Russian invasion, but Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer told journalists on Sunday that the statement would not be unanimously supported. household.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday that the results of the Swiss summit would be communicated to Moscow “so that at the second peace summit we can resolve the real end of the conflict.” war”.
Russia has described the events in Switzerland as a waste of time and on Friday President Vladimir Putin said he would agree to a ceasefire if Ukraine withdrew troops from four regions that Russia partly occupied and declared annexed. import.
But a day later Western leaders attending the summit strongly rejected Mr. Putin’s proposal.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described this as “propaganda” and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak accused Putin of “fabricating a false story about his willingness to negotiate”.
Then on Sunday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Russian leader had not ruled out negotiations with Ukraine, but added that guarantees were needed to ensure their and his credibility. Zelensky cannot participate.
