Why summit in Switzerland is so important for global peace

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Ukraine stands resolutely for undisputed peace. This peace must be just, comprehensive and lasting. To meet these criteria the very essence of the peace must comply with the rules and main principles of the international law embodied in the provisions of the UN Charter.

At the same time, a genuine and durable peace should not be in any way substituted by the mere illusion of such a peace. No peace initiative should provide legitimacy to the full-scale Russian aggression against Ukraine. Calls for ceasefire without complete withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine bear no relation to true peace.

On Nov. 15, 2022, during the G20 summit in Indonesia, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, presented a peace formula that contains an exhaustive plan of measures essential for bringing peace to Ukraine.

Following numerous rounds of consultations with the broader international community we have proceeded to a pivotal diplomatic stage: on June 15-16 in Bürgenstock, Ukraine together with Switzerland will conduct a peace summit to which over 160 countries and institutions have been invited.

The summit will focus on three inclusive objectives: first, the inadmissibility of the use of nuclear weapons and the importance of ensuring the safety of nuclear facilitites; second, global food security by guaranteeing free navigation in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov; third, addressing humanitarian issues with the exchange of prisoners and the return to Ukraine of illegally detained, deported, and displaced persons, including children.

We endeavor to unite the whole world in a coordinated and collective effort to maintain respect for international law. 

Anatolii Petrenko

We endeavor to unite the whole world in a coordinated and collective effort to maintain respect for international law and the world order based upon it. We urge all nations that comply with the UN Charter and seek peace to join this summit in Switzerland.

The framework of peace developed by the participants in the summit, not baseless ultimatums issued by Russia, should become a true ground for finishing the war and enshrining this very fact in internationally recognized and binding legal instruments.

The prepared and agreed joint peace framework could be used to resolve other conflicts worldwide, giving many suffering nations a unique chance to settle longstanding issues to which there appears no end in sight.

Saudi Arabia strongly supports Ukraine politically and practically in restoring our territorial integrity and sovereignty. The Saudi position was of special value across the entire process of security consultations conducted in Copenhagen, Jeddah, Malta and Davos.

Moreover, we consider the Kingdom to be an influential power possessing prominent recognition and credibility, allowing it to sincerely lead many other countries, specifically in the Middle East, in this complex diplomatic process to deliver peace to Ukraine.

This month’s summit in Switzerland will deliver strategic momentum: we all should harness our collective strength and move decisively toward peace in every region and across the entire world.

  • Anatolii Petrenko is Ukraine’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Twitter: @AmbUkraineKSA