Ukrainian officials hailed as a “good sign” the increasing number of participants in President Zelensky’s series of peace talks, with nearly half from Europe, 18 from Asia and 12 from Asia. was from Africa.
advertisementLeaders of talks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s peace plan say a growing number of countries are working to help lay the groundwork for Russia to one day join. With the war going on for nearly two years and neither side willing to make any concessions, it is clear that the goal is far away on the ground.
The fourth such meeting of national security advisers will be held in Davos, Switzerland, where President Zelenskiy is scheduled to attend the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting, which begins on Tuesday.
However, no Chinese delegation was present at the talks, and Ukraine recognizes the need to include Russia’s ally China.
President Zelensky must also maintain an international focus on defending Ukraine as support for Kiev declines in the West and distractions such as the conflict in the Middle East grow.
Ukraine’s presidential chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, posted a photo of the opening of the meeting and hailed the increasing number of participants in Zelensky’s series of meetings on the peace ceremony as a “good sign.” Almost half of the participants were from Europe; 18 people were from Europe. 12 people from Asia and 12 from Africa.
“Countries of the Global South are becoming increasingly involved in our work, demonstrating an understanding that this European conflict is actually a challenge for all of humanity,” he wrote.
President Zelensky has presented a 10-point peace formula calling for the expulsion of all Russian forces from Ukraine and accountability for war crimes, at a time when the two countries are fighting in mostly static positions along a front line of about 1,500 kilometers (1,500 kilometers). . line. Such an idea is immediately rejected by Moscow.
Yermak said that if Ukraine’s territorial integrity, which is currently violated by Russia through illegal annexation and other means, is not restored, “other aggressors around the world will soon occupy parts of other countries and stage fake elections there.” We’ll be able to start.”
In his final press conference, Yermak said the purpose of this meeting, the last in a series, was to discuss a final Russian withdrawal, a path to justice, environmental security, and how to ultimately declare an end to the war. He said the aim was to discuss issues such as:
He said none of the allies had asked Ukraine for compromise, “they know that is not acceptable to us” and would never accept “freezing the conflict”.
Co-organizer Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said 83 delegates were attending Davos.
The last round, held in Malta in October, involved envoys from 65 countries.
The Moscow government, which was not invited to any of the meetings, dismissed the idea as biased.