in-cyprus 17 June 2024
Western powers and other countries exerted pressure on Sunday to reach a consensus on how to end the war in Ukraine during the summit held in Switzerland. However, some nations may refuse to support the conclusions, and there is no clarity on whether future talks will include Russia.
More than 90 countries are participating in the two-day talks at the Alpine resort of Bürgenstock, organized at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Moscow, which was not invited and made it clear it did not wish to participate, labelled the summit a waste of time and issued counterproposals from afar. China is another notable absence.
The conference underscored the broad support Ukraine continues to receive from its allies but also highlighted the challenges facing any lasting ceasefire. Ukrainian forces are on the defensive following recent military setbacks and delays in Western aid, while Russia controls about 20% of Ukraine.
A draft of the final declaration seen by Reuters refers to the Russian invasion as a “war”—a term Moscow rejects—and calls for the restoration of Ukrainian control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and Ukrainian ports in the Sea of Azov. The draft, dated June 13, calls for respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
However, in line with the more measured objectives of the conference, it omits tougher issues such as what a post-war settlement for Ukraine might look like, whether Ukraine can join NATO, or how a troop withdrawal from both sides might be managed.
Saudi Arabia, India, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates did not sign the final communiqué, according to the Swiss government.
Brazil, listed as an “observer” among the participants, is also not included among the countries that signed the final communiqué.
