Peace Conference in Switzerland
USA gives Kiev millions, Meloni turns down Putin
15.06.2024, 17:42
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The peace conference for Ukraine in Switzerland has brought tangible results right from the start. Kyiv is receiving hundreds of millions of dollars from the USA for its infrastructure and humanitarian purposes. In addition, Austria and Italy have clearly rejected Putin’s alleged offer.
At the start of the Swiss peace conference for Ukraine, the USA has promised Kiev millions in additional aid for humanitarian purposes and the country’s energy network. Around 500 million dollars (around 467 million euros) will be used, among other things, to repair war damage to the energy infrastructure and to better secure the energy network, the US government announced.
324 million dollars (around 303 million euros) of previously pledged US funds would also be reallocated for these purposes. In addition, 379 million dollars (around 354 million euros) would be allocated for humanitarian aid to provide food, water and shelter to Ukrainians who have had to flee within the country.
From the perspective of Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, the Ukraine conference is a possible way out of a dead end. “We are like in a Western echo chamber. We all agree, but that is not enough,” said the Austrian head of government on the sidelines of the two-day meeting on the Bürgenstock near Lucerne. The EU and the USA are looking to find more allies to increase pressure on Moscow in the Ukraine war. “Without parts of Asia, Africa and South America, we will not succeed in getting the Russian Federation to change its mind.”
Countries such as India, Brazil, China and South Africa are particularly important. The fact that India and Brazil are represented at the meeting – even if not at ministerial level – is a “first glimmer of hope”, said Nehammer.
Scholz calls for “fair peace”
The offer of alleged peace talks made by Russian President Vladimir Putin the day before was dismissed by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as “propaganda”. “It doesn’t seem to me that telling Ukraine to withdraw from Ukraine is particularly effective as a negotiating proposal,” Meloni said with an ironic undertone at the press conference at the end of the G7 summit in Italy. Putin’s comments were more like a “propaganda initiative”.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz also dismissed Putin’s proposal as a “dictated peace.” “What we need is not a dictated peace, but a fair, just peace that takes the integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine into account,” he told ARD.
The Kremlin chief had made the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from four Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine a condition for a ceasefire and peace talks. Kiev must also renounce NATO membership.
Heads of government and diplomats from 92 countries want to discuss the first steps of a peace process in Ukraine this weekend. Russia had no interest in the meeting and was not invited. Vice President Kamala Harris is attending for the USA. She represents US President Joe Biden, who is attending campaign events in California.