World leaders are gathering in Switzerland this Saturday for a summit aimed at pressuring Russia to end its war in Ukraine. However, the absence of powerful allies of Russia, such as China, could weaken the summit’s impact. The event, organized at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has attracted dozens of Ukraine’s allies, but China has chosen not to attend because Russia, which dismissed the summit as a waste of time, is not participating.
China’s Absence and Its Impact
China’s decision to stay away from the summit has reduced hopes of isolating Moscow. This comes at a time when recent military setbacks have put Ukraine at a disadvantage, and global attention has shifted to the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The summit will focus on issues such as food and nuclear security, and freedom of navigation. A draft of the final declaration reportedly identifies Russia as the aggressor in the conflict.
Some experts believe the summit might highlight the limits of Ukrainian diplomacy. Richard Gowan, U.N. Director at the International Crisis Group, commented that the event is a chance for Ukraine to remind the world that it is defending U.N. principles.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia would end the war only if Ukraine dropped its NATO ambitions and surrendered four provinces to Moscow, Ukraine swiftly rejected these demands.
Russia’s Position and the West’s Response
Russia portrays its actions in Ukraine as part of a larger struggle against the West, which it claims wants to weaken Russia. The West and Ukraine reject this narrative, accusing Russia of waging an illegal war of conquest. Switzerland hopes the summit will pave the way for a future peace process that includes Russia, despite the geopolitical divisions over the conflict.
Around 90 countries and organizations are expected to participate in the two-day summit at Buergenstock, a mountaintop resort in central Switzerland. High-profile attendees include U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Canada, and Japan. Countries with friendlier ties to Russia, such as Bharat, Turkey, and Hungary, are also expected to join.
Russia has criticized the summit as futile since it is not involved. Supporters of Ukraine are marking the talks with events in Lucerne to highlight the humanitarian costs of the war, including a demonstration to call for the return of prisoners and children taken to Russia.
European officials acknowledge that the summit’s impact may be limited without support from Russia’s main allies. Former Swiss ambassador Daniel Woker suggested that the summit could still represent a small step forward in international solidarity with Ukraine.
This summit aims to address broader concerns triggered by the war and to reinforce support for Ukraine, despite the significant challenges posed by the absence of key players like China and the ongoing geopolitical tensions.
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