World leaders gather in Switzerland today, Saturday, for a summit aimed at pressuring Russia to end its war in Ukraine. However, the absence of strong Moscow allies like China could weaken its potential influence. Dozens of Ukraine's allies are attending the summit, but China decided not to participate after Russia rejected the summit, calling it a waste of time and expressing disinterest in attending.
Without China, hopes of isolating Moscow have faded, while recent military defeats have put Kyiv in a defensive position. The ongoing war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has also diverted attention from Ukraine. The discussions are expected to focus on broader concerns raised by the war, such as food security, nuclear issues, and freedom of navigation. According to sources, the draft final declaration classifies Russia as the aggressor in the conflict.
Richard Gowan, UN Director at the International Crisis Group, stated, "The summit risks showcasing the limits of Ukrainian diplomacy. However, it is also an opportunity for Ukraine to remind the world that it is defending the principles of the UN Charter."
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated yesterday, Friday, that Russia will not end the war in Ukraine unless Kyiv abandons its NATO ambitions and cedes four regions claimed by Moscow, demands that Kyiv has quickly rejected as surrender. Putin's conditions appear to reflect Moscow's increasing confidence that its forces are gaining the upper hand in the war.
Moscow considers what it calls its special military operation in Ukraine as part of a broader struggle against the West, which it claims seeks to subjugate Russia. Kyiv and the West reject this and accuse Russia of waging an illegal war. Switzerland, which is hosting the summit at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, aims to pave the way for a future peace process that includes Russia.
However, geopolitical divisions surrounding the most violent European conflict since World War II are complicating the summit. Zelensky has accused Beijing of helping Moscow undermine the summit, a charge the Chinese foreign ministry has denied. China had initially stated it would consider participation but ultimately declined due to the lack of an invitation for Russia. About 90 countries and organizations are set to participate in the two-day summit at the Bürgenstock resort located in a mountain area in central Switzerland.
