- POPDIARIES.COM - A La Une - 17/06/2024 11:53

"Ukraine Summit Ends with Peace Plea, Key Powers Reject Deal"

A summit in Switzerland  aimed at finding a way to stop the war in Ukraine ended with major powers refusing to support a statement that had been endorsed by over 80 other countries and international organizations. India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, all part of the BRICS economic group with significant trade ties to Russia, attended the meeting over the weekend but chose not to sign the shared statement. The document restated the commitment of those who signed to "not threatening or using force against the territorial boundaries or political independence of any country, and to uphold the principles of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all nations, including Ukraine, within their established borders recognized worldwide." Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky  told journalists at a news conference alongside the leaders of the European Union, Ghana, Canada, Chile and Switzerland that it was “important that all participants of this summit support this Ukraine’s territorial integrity because there is will be no lasting peace without territorial integrity.” Over 100 countries and organizations met at a peaceful lakeside resort near Lucerne to garner backing for President Zelensky's 10-point peace plan, which he initially proposed in late 2022. The plan includes calls for stopping the fighting, returning Ukraine's territory, pulling Russian troops out of Ukraine, and restoring Ukraine's borders with Russia as they were before the war. It's doubtful that Russian President Vladimir Putin will ever accept these terms. Attending the summit were leaders from Argentina, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Vice President Kamala Harris attended the summit and announced a $1.5 billion aid package. The funds will support humanitarian needs and assist Kyiv in repairing its damaged infrastructure. “This high level attendance shows one thing. The world cares deeply about the war provoked by Russia’s aggression,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. Despite the significant presence of Western democracies, there were doubts before the event about what could be achieved because neither Russia nor China attended. China's growing economic ties with Moscow have been crucial for Russia in navigating Western sanctions. The communique released on Sunday outlined several agreements. These included allowing Ukraine to maintain its nuclear power plants, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant under Russian control, and urging Russia not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons. Both sides also committed to ensuring the safe return of unlawfully displaced children and civilians to Ukraine. On Friday, just before the summit began, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated Russia's peace plan. The plan asks Ukrainian troops to withdraw from four southern and eastern regions, which Russia plans to annex despite international law. It also demands that Kyiv give up its NATO membership aspiration. Russian forces have made some progress in Donetsk and Luhansk in recent months, but they have not yet occupied all four regions, which also include Kherson and Zaporizhzhia. US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, traveling with Harris to Switzerland, told reporters at the summit that Putin's plan "goes against basic moral principles."  “He (Putin) said, not only does Ukraine have to give up the territory Russia currently occupies, but Ukraine has to leave additional sovereign Ukrainian territory before Russia will negotiate. And Ukraine must disarm so that is vulnerable to future Russian aggression down the road. No responsible nation could say that is a reasonable basis for peace,” Sullivan added. ALSO READ: From Varun Dhawan To Nick Jonas; This Is How Celebs Celebrated Father's Day