Cape Verde will be the first African country to participate in the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland in June, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The summit will be centered around Ukraine’s 10-point peace formula, which calls for the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied Ukrainian lands. While many Western countries have confirmed their attendance, it has been challenging for Ukraine to secure participation from countries in the Global South. Zelensky expressed his gratitude to Cape Verdean Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva for his support of the peace formula and his principled stance on the Russian invasion. The inclusion of African voices in the peace process is seen as crucial for garnering global support for a just resolution in Ukraine.
Russia has not been invited to participate in the global peace summit, and it has stated that it would decline even if invited. Ukraine has been actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to encourage China to join the talks, but U.S. officials remain skeptical about China’s willingness to agree to the points outlined in the peace formula. Despite these challenges, the involvement of countries such as Spain, Belgium, Latvia, and Finland has been confirmed for the summit. The focus of the event will be on Ukraine’s 10-point peace plan, proposed by President Zelensky in late 2022, which emphasizes the importance of the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territories under occupation.
The peace summit in Switzerland aims to provide a platform for international collaboration on resolving the conflict in Ukraine and achieving a peaceful resolution. The participation of countries from various regions, including Africa, Europe, and potentially Asia, underscores the global significance of the ongoing crisis. The exclusion of Russia from the summit reflects the international community’s stance on holding Moscow accountable for its actions in Ukraine. The engagement of diverse countries in the peace process signals a united front in support of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, as outlined in Zelensky’s peace formula.
Efforts to bring China into the peace talks highlight the complexity of international diplomacy and the challenges of securing agreement among diverse geopolitical interests. While some countries have expressed reservations about participating in the summit, the commitment of others, such as Cape Verde, demonstrates a shared commitment to promoting peace and stability in Ukraine. Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts to engage countries from the Global South reflect a broader strategy to broaden international support for its peace initiatives and highlight the importance of solidarity in addressing global conflicts. As preparations for the peace summit continue, Ukraine remains steadfast in its pursuit of a just and lasting resolution to the conflict with Russia.
Overall, the participation of Cape Verde in the peace summit represents a significant milestone in Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts to engage countries beyond Europe and North America in the peace process. The inclusion of African voices in the discussions underscores the importance of a diverse and inclusive approach to resolving international conflicts. As the international community comes together to address the crisis in Ukraine, the summit in Switzerland provides an opportunity for dialogue, cooperation, and collective action towards a peaceful resolution. By seeking support from a wide range of countries and regions, Ukraine is working to build a strong foundation for lasting peace and stability in the region.
