The Reuters agency reported this on Wednesday. However, the aggressor Russia has already made it clear that it does not want to take part in the high-level meeting. The government in Bern announced in January that it would organize a peace summit at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Swiss government then held talks with EU and G7 countries as well as China and India to explore their support. The meeting is expected to take place on June 15th and 16th.
Key role of Türkiye
Chancellor Karl Nehammer (ÖVP) attributes Turkey a key role in the possible end of the war in Ukraine. “I believe that Turkey is still important because it is recognized by both sides (…),” he said in an interview with the German weekly newspaper “Die Zeit”. In the pre-submitted interview, Nehammer laid out a broad scenario that he said might lead to an end to the Ukraine war.
In addition to Turkey, “India or China are very important,” said Nehammer. “Also the USA and then of course Germany and France. If I can make a contribution, I will be happy to do so (…),” added the Chancellor.
Common strategy
The ÖVP leader explained his path towards peace as follows. “We see that states that have a great influence on the Russian Federation do not share the West’s line. Brazil is one of them, India, China, South Africa. It is important to develop a strategy together with these states.”
Nehammer referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s peace plan – “In my view, that is the basis for discussion.” This is “the Ukrainian position.” “The question is, how do you get one of these players, such as India or China, to think regarding this format? If that works, then there is a chance that there can actually be peace,” says the Chancellor.
Massive support
Until then, it is “so important to massively support Ukraine (…) so that the Russian side sees that this war of attrition is of no use to anyone.” In any case, there is a solution “only with Ukraine. And if it is supported by the Ukrainian population.” At the same time, one might not imagine Europe without Russia. “That means that following the war it will be important to find ways to get along once more. Of course, that also means great flexibility on the Russian side.”
Zelensky’s ten-point plan calls for the complete Russian withdrawal from all occupied territories in Ukraine, as well as reparations and punishment for war criminals. The demand for a complete withdrawal also includes the Ukrainian territories annexed by Russia.
