More than 80 countries gathered in Switzerland on Sunday to find common ground on a formula for peace in Ukraine proposed by President Volodymyr Zelensky. However, Swiss co-organizers admitted that they were far from ready to include Russia.
National security advisers from 83 countries took part in a fourth round of talks based on Mr. Zelensky's 10-point proposals for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, nearly two years after Russia launched its large-scale military offensive.
The talks were co-chaired by adviser to the Ukrainian president Andriy Yermak, who heads Mr. Zelensky's office, and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis.
They took place in the luxurious ski resort of Davos in eastern Switzerland on the eve of the five-day World Economic Forum bringing together the world's business and political elite.
“83 nations are in Davos to talk about peace, the means to achieve peace. Peace in Ukraine, but also in other countries where there are conflicts. A peace that the Ukrainian people urgently need,” Cassis said during a press conference.
“We have to somehow find a way to include Russia. Without Russia’s say, there will be no peace,” he added.
“But that doesn’t mean we should […] Wait for Russia to do something. Dozens of civilians are killed or injured in Ukraine every minute. We don't have the right to wait forever.
However, the Swiss minister said that so far neither Kiev nor Moscow were ready to take the plunge.
Three meetings at the level of national security advisers took place in Copenhagen in June 2023, in Jeddah in August and in Malta in October.
Mr. Cassis emphasized the importance of the participation in the negotiations of Brazil, India and South Africa, which, alongside Russia, are represented within the BRICS countries.
“Their engagement is very important because they engage in dialogue with Moscow and maintain a certain level of trust in Moscow,” he explained.
The focus of the talks in Davos was particularly on the criteria for ending hostilities, the withdrawal of Russian troops, justice for the crimes committed and preventing a new escalation.
Cassis said Sunday's meeting is likely to be the last of its kind at the national security adviser level and consideration should be given to a meeting at a higher level.