BERN, Switzerland (AP) — Almost 90 countries and organizations, half from Europe, have confirmed their participation in the event organized by Switzerland Peace Summit in Ukraine over the weekend despite Russia’s refusal to participate in the conference, Switzerland’s president said on Monday.
Viola Amherd told reporters in the Swiss capital that the summit, on Saturday and Sunday, will aim to outline a path to possible peace almost 28 months after Russian forces invaded Ukraine and the war continues.
“This is not propaganda,” Amherd said. “This is the basis of the humanitarian aid provided by Switzerland… and starting a dialogue.”
The Swiss president added that the majority of participants – around half of whom will be represented at the level of heads of state or government – are country leaders, but “a handful” are from organizations such as the United Nations.
Some, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, are expected to attend the summit at the Buergenstock resort overlooking Lake Lucerne.
Around 160 invitations were sent out and Amherd said it was not a “disappointment” for the Swiss government that fewer than 100 had so far announced participation in the first phase of the peace process.
Swiss authorities said the final list of participants was expected on Friday, but major developing countries such as Turkey, South Africa and Brazil had not indicated whether they would attend. India, they said, will participate, but it is unclear at what level.
Brazil and China said they would not participate unless both sides – including Russia – were at the table, according to Swiss officials. Beijing has been one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s main supporters since the start of the war.
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis also addressed journalists, saying that Switzerland has repeatedly recognized that there cannot be a peace process without Russia. “The question is not whether Russia will be on board, the question is when.”
He also said Switzerland was in frequent contact with authorities in Moscow regarding the conference.
Ukraine helped coordinate the summit and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to attend. Cassis said Swiss authorities had to weigh considerations that Ukraine might not have attended if Russia had been represented.
Swiss officials say the conference aims to set a course towards “lasting peace” in Ukraine, reach a “common understanding” to get there and outline the “roadmap” on how to engage both sides in negotiations. Nuclear safety, humanitarian aid and food security are also on the summit’s agenda.
Around 4,000 military personnel will be deployed to provide security and support air transport, surveillance and install security fences and steel wires for the event, officials said, adding that an increase in cyber attacks was observed in the run-up to the summit. but did not provide details.
