More than 80 countries met in Switzerland on Sunday to seek common ground on a formula for peace in Ukraine proposed by its president, Volodymyr Zelensky, but Swiss organizers admitted they were still far from ready to include Russia.
National security advisers from 83 countries participated in the fourth round of talks based on Mr. Zelensky's 10-point proposals for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, nearly two years after Russia launched its large-scale military offensive.
The talks were co-chaired by Ukrainian Presidential Assistant Andriy Yermak, who heads Mr. Zelensky's office, and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.
These meetings took place in the luxurious ski resort of Davos in eastern Switzerland, on the eve of the five-day World Economic Forum summit that brings together the world's economic and political elite.
“83 countries in Davos to talk about peace, means of achieving peace. Peace in Ukraine, but also in other countries experiencing conflict. “The peace that the Ukrainian people urgently need,” Mr. Cassis declared during a press conference.
We will have to somehow find a way to annex Russia. He added: “There will be no peace without Russia having its say.”
“But that doesn't mean we have to do that […] Wait until Russia does something. Every minute, dozens of civilians are killed or injured in Ukraine. We don't have the right to wait forever.
However, the Swiss minister said that so far neither Kiev nor Moscow is ready to make this step.
Three National Security Advisor-level meetings were held respectively in Copenhagen in June 2023, in Jeddah in August, and in Malta in October.
Cassis stressed the importance of participating in the negotiations of Brazil, India and South Africa, which are present alongside Russia within the BRICS group.
He explained, “Their participation is very important, because they engage in dialogue with Moscow and maintain a certain degree of trust with it.”
The Davos talks focused in particular on the criteria used to determine the end of hostilities, the withdrawal of Russian forces, achieving justice for crimes committed, and preventing any new escalation.
According to Cassis, Sunday's meeting will likely be the last of its kind at the National Security Advisor level and a meeting at a higher level should be considered.
