The Global Peace Summit will take place on June 15-16, 2024 in Bürgenstock, Switzerland. About 100 states are planning its participation; Russia has not been invited at the Summit. Heads of state and government of the EU countries, members of the G7, G20, BRICS, many other countries from all continents, three international organizations (UN, OSCE and Council of Europe) and two religious representatives (Vatican and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople) have already been invited.
According to the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the overarching objective of the Summit is “to inspire a future peace process and develop practical steps to reach this goal. The Summit provides a platform for all states for dialogue on ways towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine.”
The Summit will discuss the Ukrainian Peace Formula, initiated by the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in November 2022. It has 10 points, including guarantees of radiation, nuclear, food, energy security, as well as guarantees of the withdrawal of Russian troops from temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.
It is Zelenskyy’s 10-point Peace Plan: 1) radiation and nuclear safety; 2) food security; 3) energy security; 4) release of all prisoners and deportees; 5) implementation of the UN Charter and restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the world order; 6) withdrawal of Russian troops and cessation of hostilities; 7) justice; 8) immediate protection of the environment (demining and countering ecocide); 9) prevention of escalation; 10) confirmation of the end of the war.
The Kremlin, of course, is not interested in the Peace Summit and therefore is trying to discredit the very idea of holding it and disrupt the event in every possible way. In any case, such Russia’s actions are predictable. The purpose is to prevent Ukraine and other democratic countries from the desired result. After all, this international event can be a political trigger for comprehensive, sustainable peace in Ukraine. The Summit will also contribute to the consolidation of partners of official Kyiv in strengthening support and assistance to Ukraine and will provide an opportunity to put pressure on Russia, including by tightening current sanctions and new sanctions against the aggressor country. All these are not in Putin’s plans. In fact, all this Putin’s discrediting efforts only justify his armed aggression against Ukraine, satisfying his imperial ambitions in conquering more territories.
To disrupt the event, Russia, first, discredits the very idea of holding it, saying that it is only for picture taking, nothing will be decided. Second, the Kremlin wants to reduce as much as possible the number of participating countries in the Summit, including among the states of the so-called “Global South” (Latin America, Africa, South Asia). Thus, Russia describes the war in Ukraine as a struggle against “Western supremacy” and “colonial policies.” In addition, Putin promises the countries of the Global South, in exchange for “non-participation” in the Summit, to forgive part of their debts, increase the amount of financial support, make some economic concessions, discounts on the supply of petroleum products, food, goods, etc. Third, to reduce the attractiveness of the peace initiatives proposed by Kyiv, Moscow calls Ukraine a terrorist state with an illegitimate Ukrainian government, which supports Nazism, and allegedly the Ukrainian people do not seek to fight against Russia. All this, of course, is not true. The Ukrainian people are fighting the Russian aggressor for their freedom, sovereignty, territory and national identity.
The Russian dictator strives to fulfill the so-called “historic mission” and is not going to stop. Putin’s terrible dream of returning “historically Russian lands” puts many countries at risk of repetition of the same fate as Ukraine. Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus and all of Central Asia… could be a potential targets for the Kremlin. Who will be next? Recently, a growing number of Western leaders have begun publicly warning that their countries could soon become targets of Russian aggression, saying Russia could attack NATO members “within the next few years.” The Peace Summit will help discourage Putin from his ominous dream, as it is important to stop the aggressor in Ukraine before he goes further.
There is little time left before the Summit. Kyiv’s efforts are concentrated on attracting more participants. According to the organizers, the leaders of dozens of countries around the world should together discuss the Peace Formula of Zelenskyy at this international event, and create a roadmap for achieving peace, which then will be handed over to Moscow. Let us emphasize once again that the implementation of this initiative to achieve PEACE is in the interests of every state or institution, which respects the principles of the UN Charter, as well as security, stability, cooperation and equality. Therefore, under no circumstances should allow the implementation of the Kremlin’s plans to disrupt and discredit the Global Peace Summit. This event is another step towards peace in Ukraine, Europe, and in the world!