The Swiss government announced plans to host an international conference in June to work toward peace in Ukraine after over two years of war. The conference, set to take place at the Bürgenstock resort near Lucerne, will bring together government officials from more than 100 countries. Despite initial tensions with Russia, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis expressed hope that Russia could eventually be involved in the peace process. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has cautioned that negotiations must consider Moscow’s interests in order to be successful.
There has been speculation about potential U.S. involvement in the conference, with reports suggesting that President Joe Biden may attend. However, no final decisions have been made by the White House regarding U.S. participation. Russian President Vladimir Putin has been clear that peace in Ukraine cannot be achieved until Russia’s goals are met. The Swiss government emphasized that the conference is a starting point towards lasting peace in Ukraine and stressed the necessity of involving Russia in the process.
Switzerland has a tradition of shuttle diplomacy and feels a responsibility to contribute to the peace process in Ukraine. The early talks regarding the conference involved the European Union and representatives from countries in the Global South, such as Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa. While there are some unknowns surrounding the conference, the Swiss government is committed to working towards bringing the parties involved to the negotiating table. U.S. participation has been deemed essential, and the United States has confirmed its attendance at the conference.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has put forth a 10-point peace formula that includes the removal of all Russian forces from Ukraine and accountability for war crimes. However, Moscow has rejected these proposals, leading to continued fighting along the front line. The diplomatic uncertainties surrounding the conference have also raised questions about China’s potential involvement. Swiss Foreign Minister Cassis recently visited China to seek Beijing’s support, although China has previously presented its own 12-point plan to end the conflict in Ukraine.
The Bürgenstock resort has a history of hosting diplomatic gatherings, with talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriots in 2004 being one notable example. Despite past attempts at reconciliation, these talks did little to resolve the longstanding conflict on the Mediterranean island. As Switzerland prepares to host the international conference in June, the focus remains on bringing together a diverse group of countries to work towards a lasting peace in Ukraine. While challenges lie ahead in the negotiation process, the Swiss government is hopeful that the conference will be a significant step towards resolving the conflict.
