Stay up to date with free updates
Simply sign up for the War in Ukraine myFT Digest – straight to your inbox.
Security officials from 83 countries met in Davos on Sunday to discuss Ukraine's demands to end the war with Russia. The talks were marked by increasing non-Western participation but limited progress toward peace.
The meeting, held in the Swiss mountain resort on the eve of the World Economic Forum, was the fourth called by Kiev to promote its peace proposals, which include the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory. It came as the war, which appears to be at a stalemate, approaches the second anniversary of President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion.
The active participation of national security officials from India, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, countries of the so-called Global South that have diplomatic ties with Russia, was welcomed as a positive signal by Western officials.
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, told reporters after the meeting that “open and very constructive discussions” had been held between “countries that want to stand on the side.” . . of peace.”
But the decision by China, Moscow's main ally, not to take part undermines its importance, they added. Russia itself was not invited.
“The participation of the Brics alliance is very important because these countries have a relationship with Russia,” said Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, who is co-moderating the talks.
“China plays an important role. We need to find ways to work with China in this regard,” he added in remarks to reporters during the talks.
Zelensky was not present at the talks but will speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday and is then expected to hold bilateral meetings with other leaders.
When Yermak was asked whether Zelensky would meet Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang, he said: “We'll see.”
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, who co-moderated the talks in Davos, said: “The participation of the Brics alliance is very important because these countries have a relationship with Russia.” © Gian Ehrenzeller/EPA-EFE/ShutterstockThe 83 delegations, including 18 from Asia and 12 from Africa, are significantly larger than the 65 that took part in the last round of talks in Malta in October. This was followed by an initial meeting in Copenhagen and a follow-up meeting in Jeddah.
A person briefed on the discussions said it was an “open dialogue in which some of the contradictions are addressed directly.”
Officials said some non-Western states have reiterated their position that Russia should be included and that a deal should address Moscow's security concerns, such as Ukraine's desire to join the NATO military alliance.
Recommended
In response, Western nations that have supported Ukraine with arms and financial support demanded that developing countries with ties to Russia use their influence to make it clear to Moscow that its invasion violates the U.N. charter and undermines global security .
“Of course we have different ideas about how this is possible [achieve peace]“said Yermak about the different positions. “Some people think that it is necessary to sit at the table immediately [with Russia].”
But all delegations “strongly agree on the fundamental principles on which international law and the statutes of the United Nations are based,” he added.
Cassis said it was “illusory to believe that Russia would respond positively to an invitation to talks,” adding that Moscow was “unwilling to take any steps or make concessions.”