The current public’s attention is directed to Switzerland, where a peace summit on Ukraine will be held in Lucerne on June 15-16. High-level leaders from many countries are expected to attend. Swiss President Viola Amherd is the host of this global event at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The participation of China and the United States has not yet been confirmed. At the suggestion of Ukraine, Russia was not invited to the summit, as it is the aggressor in the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that there is no guarantee that Russia would act in good faith. According to Ukrainian analyst Volodymyr Horbach, Russia’s participation would be akin to “as if Hitler sat at the table at conferences in Tehran, Yalta, or Potsdam during World War II and dictated his terms.” (Note: The Potsdam conference took place in July-August 1945).
In addition, Ukraine wants to refute the Russian narrative that Kyiv does not want peace and that it was Russia who provoked the war. Russia’s participation would be considered only at a later peace summit, which could follow the outcome of the first one. The Ukrainian President expects that 80 to 100 countries could participate in the summit. Ukraine would welcome the participation of as many countries as possible from the so-called Global South, such as India, South Africa, Ethiopia, and Saudi Arabia. These countries have generally maintained a more restrained attitude towards the Russian-Ukrainian war.
According to Ukrainian analyst Dmytro Tuzhansky, President Zelenskyy at the summit wants to propose a framework for possible talks with Russia and motivate a future peace process that would be based on the principles of international law. Russia has so far shown how one country can attack another country without reason and even annex its territory. Furthermore, Russia has committed crimes against humanity with impunity while the international community remains largely silent.
What can be expected from the June peace summit on Ukraine in Lucerne? It is unlikely that a peaceful solution will be found there. However, according to Ukrainian analysts, progress would be if as many countries as possible sent a signal that Russian aggression cannot be tolerated. The success would be even greater if as many countries as possible from the so-called Global South participate.
According to analytical comments, the summit would thus confirm the necessity of restoring the international order by expressing disapproval of Russian aggression and violations of international law. Such a step would simultaneously mean a refusal to legitimize Russian aggression and the introduction of new rules on the world stage. Therefore, in Lucerne, Switzerland, it will be a question of which vision of the global world order will prevail in the end. Either the restoration of the status quo or the creation of a new global order in which the recognition of Russian aggression in Ukraine will also have a place.
The intention of the initiators of the summit is for its participants to draw a kind of road map that could lead to the end of the war and a sustainable peace in accordance with the UN Charter and the norms of international law. According to analyst Tuzhansky, if as many countries as possible agree on this, then it will be possible to force Putin to make peace.
