Zelensky says will hold peace talks ‘tomorrow’ if Russia leaves Ukrainian territories

UkrainePresident Volodymyr Zelensky said at the end of the peace summit in Switzerland that Kyiv is ready to hold peace talks tomorrow if Moscow pulls out of Ukrainian territory. Meanwhile, nearly 80 countries called for the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement amid the ongoing war between Moscow and Kyiv.

Peace talks ‘tomorrow’ if Russia leaves

Speaking at the end of the two-day summit which saw the participation of world leaders and representatives from more than 90 countries, Zelensky said, “Russia can start negotiations tomorrow if they pull out of our territories.”

The Ukrainian president’s remarks came in response to a question by BBC asking if Ukraine’s setbacks on the battlefield had forced him to consider diplomatic moves. However, Zelensky said that was not the case and Russia’s presence at negotiations would demonstrate its willingness for peace.

While speaking to the press, the Ukrainian president also thanked the world leaders who attended the summit and hailed the “first steps toward peace”. Zelensky said Kyiv is also in talks with some countries who offered to host a “second peace summit.”

This was after reports that no country came forward to host another such meeting.

The Ukrainian president also said that the participation of world leaders in the summit held at Burgenstock resort shows that the international support for Kyiv, despite Russia’s pressure, is not weakening.

“We are responding to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine not only with a full-scale defence of human life but also with full-scale diplomacy,” said Zelensky.

Key regional powers, including India, withhold signatures

Out of the 92 countries which attended the summit, 78 nations called for the “territorial integrity” of Ukraine to be the basis for any peace agreement to stop the ongoing war between Moscow and Kyiv.

The joint communique which capped the two-day conference marked by Russia and China’s absence was signed by more than 80 countries and international organisations.

The final declaration of the summit referred to the Russian invasion as “war,” a label that Moscow has rejected, and calls for Ukraine’s control over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and its Azov Sea ports to be restored.

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The final text was signed by the three main European Union institutions and 27 EU member states. However, key regional powers including India, Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and Saudi Arabia withheld their signatures.

The declaration focused on issues of nuclear safety, food security, and the exchange of prisoners, as well as children removed from Ukraine amid the war.

Swiss President Viola Amherd, in her closing remarks, warned that the “road ahead is long and challenging”.

Russia mocks the summit

Meanwhile, Russia continued to ridicule the event from afar.

“None of the participants in the ‘peace forum’ knows what he is doing there and what his role is,” said Dmitry Medvedev, Russia’s former president and now deputy chairman of the country’s Security Council.

The summit is “just another ploy to divert everyone’s attention, reverse the cause and effect of the Ukrainian crisis (and) set the discussion on the wrong track,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week.

(With inputs from agencies)