China should be invited
Switzerland is planning a peace summit for Ukraine
January 15, 2024, 10:24 p.m
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Even though Switzerland does not support Ukraine militarily, President Zelenskyj praised the Alpine republic’s humanitarian aid during his visit to Bern. Switzerland also declares its willingness to organize a peace summit. As many countries as possible should take part – under one condition.
Switzerland will organize a peace summit at Ukraine’s request. “Our teams will start preparing a global peace summit in Switzerland from tomorrow,” said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after a meeting with his Swiss counterpart Viola Amherd near Bern. But Russia will not be welcome.
“We are open to all countries in the world that respect our sovereignty and territorial integrity. From this they can conclude who we invite,” said the Ukrainian president when asked by a journalist about Russia’s possible participation. The countries of the global south should be represented and “we want China to be included.”
Switzerland declared itself “ready” to organize a summit meeting on a peace formula at the request of the Ukrainian president, according to a statement. The exact modalities are still being clarified. A date for the summit was also not given. The Swiss president said that she and Zelenskyj wanted broad support and the highest possible number of participants.
It is very important that “leading politicians take part in the summit,” emphasized Zelensky. “It is important for us to show that the whole world is against Russia’s aggression and the whole world is for a just peace.”
Switzerland insists on its military neutrality in view of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. It prohibits the transfer of military equipment to a country at war. At the meeting with Amherd, Zelenskyj praised Switzerland’s humanitarian support, especially in mine clearance. Switzerland has also taken over the international sanctions against Moscow. Zelenskyj travels from Bern to Davos. There he takes part in the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.