Switzerland declared the readiness of the international community to prepare space for direct negotiations between Ukraine and Russia. Swiss President Viola Amherd announced this at a joint press conference with Volodymyr Zelenskyi after their meeting.
Amherd emphasized the importance of dialogue to achieve peace in the conditions of a complex global situation. "If we want to direct the process in the direction of peace, someday we will have to involve Russia," she said. She added that the international community can help create conditions for direct negotiations between the warring parties.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, Ignazio Cassis, also expressed hope that his country will be able to contribute to the settlement of the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow. "We will try to start the settlement process, understanding that it will not be easy," Kassis said.
At the same time, Ukraine remains steadfast in its position regarding possible negotiations and concessions with Russia. The head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak emphasized that Kyiv will not make any compromises regarding sovereignty and territorial integrity. "The language of ultimatums does not work for Ukraine. Our heroic and brave people showed it not in words, but in battles," said Yermak, whose words were reported by BBC correspondent Svyatoslav Khomenko.
Yermak added that Kyiv has clearly outlined its proposals regarding the peace formula and hopes that they will become the basis for the future peace plan, which will be presented to Russia after its final development "with the participation of peaceful countries."
On the eve of the summit in Switzerland, Vladimir Putin for the first time named the conditions for negotiations with Ukraine, including the withdrawal of Kyiv to the administrative borders of the Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions, as well as the refusal to join NATO. He stated that if these conditions are met, Russia is ready to cease fire and start negotiations.
Ukraine reacted sharply to Putin's statement, rejecting these ultimatums as unacceptable and no different from Russia's previous demands.
On June 15, the global peace summit initiated by Kyiv began in the Swiss city of Bürgenstock. On the agenda of the summit is the discussion of the Ukrainian "peace formula".
The event was attended by representatives of more than 90 countries, including not only European states, but also India, Saudi Arabia, the Republic of South Africa and other countries, which so far maintain a moderate position regarding support for Ukraine in the war against Russian aggression. Some of these countries were represented at the level of deputy leaders.
"Today at the summit, all parts of the world, all continents, various nations - both large and small - every political pole of our world are represented," Volodymyr Zelenskyi said.
Russia and China are not participating in the summit.
During the summit, the US announced the allocation of an additional 1.5 billion dollars to support Ukraine's energy sector.
This was announced by US Vice President Kamala Harris during a meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky within the framework of the summit, the press service of the White House reported.
Funding will be provided through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the State Department in support of the people of Ukraine.
