Swiss-Ukrainian leaders’ joint press conference highlights peace, diplomacy

Swiss Confederation President Viola Amherd expressed a strong commitment to fostering lasting peace and outlined concrete steps to advance this goal during the Ukraine Peace Summit.

Amherd joined Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in addressing the media at a joint press conference held in Burgenstock, Nidwalden canton, Switzerland, ahead of the summit.

“We want to inspire a process towards lasting peace and take concrete steps in that direction,” said Amherd, adding that they organized this conference at Ukraine’s request.

Amherd reminded that apart from the Russia-Ukraine War, there are also challenges worldwide, stating that Switzerland is committed to peace and dialogue.

Emphasizing that the United Nations Charter forms the basis of a rules-based order, Amherd noted that Russia’s attacks in Ukraine seriously violate this and cause great suffering to civilians there.

“If we want to inspire a process towards peace, Russia also needs to be involved at some point,” said Amherd, suggesting that the international community could pave the way for direct talks between the warring parties.

Amherd announced that delegations from 92 countries and 8 international organizations will attend the summit, aiming to inspire a comprehensive, fair, and lasting peace process for Ukraine based on international law and the UN Charter. She stated, “We want to develop a common understanding on a possible framework to achieve this goal.”

Amherd mentioned that discussions at the conference will focus on nuclear security, food security, and the humanitarian dimension.

“I believe we will witness history being made at summit”

Zelenskyy, while organizing this summit, mentioned that they have managed to “give diplomacy a chance,” stating that they never wanted the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine since February 2022.

Zelenskyy stated that the two-day summit will be attended by representatives from all regions of the world, emphasizing that the views of every nation are “equally important” for Kyiv.

“I believe that everything agreed upon at the summit will be part of the peace process that we all need. I believe we will witness history being made at the summit,” said Zelenskyy.

The official opening speeches of the summit are expected to start at 5:30 p.m. local time.

Seeking diplomatic solution to Russia-Ukraine War

The summit seeks ways to diplomatically resolve the Russia-Ukraine War, which has been ongoing for over two years.

The peace summit, organized to provide a platform for a comprehensive, fair, and lasting peace based on international law and the U.N. Charter for the Ukraine-Russia War, aims to promote a common understanding on a possible framework to achieve this goal.

Creating a “joint roadmap” for the inclusion of both sides in a future peace process and “inspiring the future peace process” are also among the summit’s objectives.

China is also not attending the summit, to which Russia was not invited.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan will represent Türkiye at the summit.

The summit will conclude tomorrow.