Peace Talks: Russia not Interested in “Meaningful” Negotiations, says Swiss Government

The Swiss government announced on Thursday that Russia has not been included among the numerous countries invited to participate in peace talks scheduled to take place in Switzerland in mid-June, with the aim of facilitating negotiations between Moscow and Ukraine.

Switzerland, extending invitations to over 160 delegations, expressed a longstanding willingness to involve Russia in the dialogue.

However, Reuters reports, it noted that Moscow has consistently expressed disinterest in participating in the initial discussions.

In a statement, the Swiss government emphasised its conviction that Russia’s involvement is crucial for any meaningful progress towards peace in the region.

It stated that a peace process without the participation of Russia would be unfeasible.

Conversely, the Ukrainian government has raised doubts about the potential effectiveness of Russian participation in the talks, scheduled for June 15-16th near Lucerne, Switzerland.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, in an interview with Foreign Policy magazine, asserted that involving Russia in the talks would only be beneficial if there were assurances of its sincere commitment to the process.

He suggested that exerting pressure on Russia militarily, along with uniting countries sharing similar principles, could encourage Moscow to engage constructively in dialogue.

Russian officials have cited Switzerland’s alignment with EU sanctions against Moscow, stemming from its incursion into Ukraine, as a basis for questioning the country’s neutrality as a mediator.

Switzerland had previously announced its intention to host the summit at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The government reiterated that the discussions would be grounded in Zelensky’s peace initiative and other proposals consistent with the U.N. Charter and principles of international law.

The invited delegations encompass members of various international groups including the G7, G20, BRICS, and the European Union, as well as representatives from international organisations and two religious figures.

The overarching objective of the talks, according to the Swiss government, is to establish a framework for sustainable peace in the region and to outline a roadmap for Russia’s participation in the peace process.

The Swiss government’s decision not to include Russia in the initial talks reflects the complexities surrounding efforts to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

While Switzerland maintains that Russian involvement is indispensable for meaningful progress, Ukrainian authorities remain cautious about the efficacy of such participation.

The upcoming discussions, involving a diverse array of international stakeholders, aim to lay the groundwork for a lasting peace agreement while addressing concerns about the credibility of the mediation process.

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