Participants at the Ukraine Peace Conference in Obbürgen, Switzerland on the 15th pose for a group photo. Around 90 world leaders attended the peace conference. AP=Yonhap News
The Ukraine Peace Conference took place in Switzerland on the 15th and 16th. The draft joint statement resulting from the conference includes respecting the territorial integrity of all countries, including Ukraine, and returning control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant to Ukraine. However, the “BRICS camp” did not sign the joint statement.
According to foreign reports on the 16th, about 90 world leaders participated in the peace conference held the day before. Concerns were raised earlier about the limited influence of this conference, with both Russia and the United States not fully represented. Despite this, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his belief that history would be made at the summit.
Participants posing for a group photo at the Ukraine Peace Conference on the 15th. AP=Yonhap News
According to Reuters, the draft joint statement discussed by the participating countries at the peace conference includes ensuring territorial integrity for all countries, including Ukraine, restoration of Ukrainian control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant currently occupied by Russia, and guaranteeing Ukrainian access to the Black Sea and Azov Sea ports for food security.
However, only 80 countries signed the joint statement according to the list released by the Swiss organizers. Non-signatories include countries belonging to the BRICS group led by Russia and China. Several other countries also refrained from signing in consideration of their relations with Russia, reflecting some reluctance to fully engage in efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine.
About 10 countries not signing the statement shifted the tone of the international conference calling for a ceasefire and resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin had expressed willingness to end the war if Ukraine abandoned its plans to join NATO and handed over control of four disputed territories to Russia, a proposal Ukraine rejected.
US Vice President Kamala Harris (right) converses with US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan before a bilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Ukraine Peace Conference on the 15th. AP=Yonhap News
In related news, the European Union is expected to formally begin Ukraine’s EU membership negotiation process on the 25th. Belgium, which currently holds the EU rotating presidency, announced that all 27 EU countries have agreed on the guidelines for Ukraine’s membership negotiations. Requests for the first intergovernmental negotiation meeting are set for the 25th.
French President Emmanuel Macron delivers a speech at the opening ceremony of the Ukraine Peace Conference on the 15th. AP=Yonhap News