In a recent development concerning the Ukraine conflict, Swiss Ambassador Gabriel Luechinger has stated that the next conference on the matter will not take place in the West. This announcement comes after the senior diplomat helped organize last weekend’s gathering at Switzerland’s Burgenstock Resort. Discussions with potential hosts for the next event are already underway, according to Luechinger.
In the lead-up to the conference, several nations declined to attend, with China being one of them. Beijing announced that it would not be sending representatives to Switzerland, arguing that without Russia present, any discussions would be futile – a sentiment echoed by several other countries. Moscow had stated in March that it would not attend even if invited, as the event was likely based on Vladimir Zelensky’s ‘peace formula’, which Russia considers unrealistic and an ultimatum.
In an interview with Swiss broadcaster SRF on Monday, Luechinger explained, “What is clear is that the next peace summit will not be in Europe, and will not take place in the West.” The senior diplomat revealed that several nations were approached at the conference regarding a potential role in organizing the next summit. He added, “It is now up to them to decide. In the next weeks, I think, things will start moving.
When asked about the possibility of Saudi Arabia hosting a meeting, Luechinger hinted that it could be an option, but did not go into detail. He also emphasized that “Russia should be integrated in the peace process in some way.
While Ukraine has considered the conference at the Burgenstock Resort as a success, around a dozen countries that participated in the talks did not sign the final communique. These countries include India, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the UAE, Mexico, Thailand, Indonesia, Jordan, and Iraq. The document did not include many of the key points of Kiev’s ‘peace formula’, which called for the transfer of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant under Ukrainian control, unrestricted access to ports in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov, and the release of all prisoners of war.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Saturday that Moscow is interested in attending a more substantive and promising event next time. Last Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined his conditions for a ceasefire, which include the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops from all territories claimed by Moscow, as well as the renunciation of Kiev’s NATO aspirations. The Ukrainian government and its Western backers have dismissed this proposal, calling it an ultimatum.