by Michelle Nichols
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Switzerland announced to the United Nations (UN) on Friday its intention to organize a high-level conference on peace in Ukraine “by the summer”, while the 193 members of the organization come together to mark the entry of the conflict into its third year.
Ukraine is seeking to rally support for its ten-point peace plan as signs of fatigue on the front appear and the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza fuels international concerns.
“At the request of Ukraine, we intend to organize a high-level conference on peace in Ukraine by the summer,” Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis told the United Nations General Assembly.
Read also…
“I would therefore like to take this opportunity to invite all nations to work together towards our common goal,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky’s peace plan is based on the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the withdrawal of all Russian troops, the protection of food and energy supplies, nuclear security and the release of all prisoners of war.
“Russia cannot ignore the voice of the world majority if we all take a principled stand and act together,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba told the General Assembly.
The United Nations massively isolated Russia after the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, calling for a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace.” The UN calls on Moscow to withdraw its troops from the country and stop the fighting.
Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, described the peace plan as a “futile project”
“This is nothing more than an ultimatum to Russia and an attempt to attract as many countries as possible into endless meetings on this utopian project,” he added.
Ukraine depends on Western support for funds and equipment and ammunition supplies have become a crucial problem as the fighting bogs down.
Republicans in the US Congress have for several months blocked the approval of an additional aid package to Ukraine amounting to $61 billion.
The United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, called on UN members to unite to “promote diplomacy, dialogue and a just and lasting peace”.
(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; French version by Kate Entringer)
©2024 Thomson Reuters, all rights reserved. Reuters content is the intellectual property of Thomson Reuters or its third party content providers. Any copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters. Thomson Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. “Reuters” and the Reuters Logo are trademarks of Thomson Reuters and its affiliated companies.