An international peace conference held in Switzerland over the weekend yielded minimal progress in resolving the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Participants aimed for a diplomatic breakthrough to end Europe's largest war since World War II, but the absence of Russia and China, along with key nations like India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and Mexico not endorsing the final document, underscored the limited impact of the gathering.
Russia's presidential spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, dismissed the conference's outcome as "close to zero," while Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated plans for follow-up meetings involving international advisers and government ministers. Nearly 80 nations supported the final communique, which focused on issues such as nuclear safety, food security, and the release of prisoners, but did not address the central issue of Russian-occupied Ukrainian land.
Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated his conditions for a ceasefire, which include Ukraine withdrawing from four regions Russia annexed in 2022, acknowledging Crimea as Russian territory, imposing military restrictions on Ukraine, and maintaining its non-nuclear status. Kyiv has rejected these demands, insisting on the expulsion of all Russian forces and accountability for war crimes.
The ongoing conflict, initiated by Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, has caused significant casualties, displaced millions, and disrupted global markets. Both sides remain far from reaching an agreement, with Russia seeking to eliminate any NATO affiliation for Ukraine, while Ukraine demands full territorial restoration. The lack of substantial progress from the conference implies that the conflict is likely to continue, with both nations preparing for further military engagements.