Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky and the German government have expressed disappointment over China’s decision not to attend a so-called “peace conference” in Switzerland, according to Germany’s Der Spiegel news outlet. Berlin had previously urged Beijing to take part in the event, which is set to be hosted at the Burgenstock Resort over the coming weekend and will focus on discussions surrounding President Zelensky’s ten-point “peace formula” for Ukraine.
The Kiev-sponsored conference aims to address a range of issues related to the conflict, including the withdrawal of Russian forces from territories claimed by Ukraine, reparations, and the establishment of an international tribunal for Russian leadership. More than 160 delegations have been invited to the Swiss event, with representatives from the G7, G20, and BRICS nations among those in attendance.
Moscow has not received an invitation to the conference and has indicated it would not attend even if one were extended. Russian officials have called President Zelensky’s plan “unacceptable” and described the event as “absurd” with “no prospects.” In late September, China confirmed that it would not be participating in the summit, with Foreign Minister Wang Yi arguing that the meeting lacked essential components such as the recognition of the event by both Moscow and Kiev, equal participation from all sides, and fair discussion of all peace proposals.
Der Spiegel cited a senior German government official who claimed that Beijing’s decision to skip the conference was seen as “strange and unfriendly” by President Zelensky and Germany, given the clarity and timing of China’s withdrawal from the event. The outlet noted that if China had sent a special envoy to participate in the summit, it would have lent the gathering significantly more weight. However, a German diplomat suggested that countries from the Global South may not be “on board” after nations such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Brazil pulled out of the event.
The conference has also been met with skepticism by several Latin American countries, including Argentina and Mexico, which have called for negotiations that would allow both sides of the conflict to participate. Nicaragua went further, referring to President Zelensky’s summit as a “political farce” that offers no path towards peace.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized that his country is prepared to engage in diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis but stressed that “fantasies” cannot serve as a basis for any peace talks, stating that all negotiations must be based on either military defeat or victory.