Volodymyr Zelensky warns Russia ‘doesn’t need peace’

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky today accused Russia of not wanting peace, after Vladimir Putin said he would only accept a ceasefire if Ukraine agreed to halt its NATO ascension plans. 

Zelensky made the accusation at the end of a major diplomatic summit in Switzerland, which more than 90 countries attended, making it the largest gathering in support of Ukraine since the start of the invasion. 

He told attendees of the conference, which including Britain’s Rishi Sunak, Germany‘s Olaf Scholz and Italy‘s Giorgia Meloni: ‘Russia does not want peace, that is a fact. Russia and their leadership are not ready for a just peace, that’s a fact.’

The conference saw the vast majority of the 90 nations who attended sign a communique in support of Ukraine sovereignty, and also called for Putin to return children stolen during the invasion. 

But several nations that attended that have close business and security ties with Russia, like India, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, did not sign the document. 

The countries said they ‘reaffirm our commitment to… the principles of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all states, including Ukraine, within their internationally recognised borders.’

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky today accused Russia of not wanting peace

Zelensky made the accusation at the end of a major diplomatic summit in Switzerland, which more than 90 countries attended

The conference saw the vast majority of the 90 nations who attended sign a communique in support of Ukraine sovereignty

Russia currently controls just under a fifth of Ukraine, including the Crimean peninsula it annexed in 2014.

The summit called for Ukraine to have ‘full sovereign control’ of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest atomic energy site that is currently controlled by Russian forces.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly warned of the risk of a major nuclear disaster at the facility, controlled by Russian forces since the start of the war.

‘Ukrainian nuclear power plants and installations, including Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, must operate safely and securely under full sovereign control of Ukraine,’ the final communique stated.

The countries also expressed concern over the possibility the conflict could turn nuclear, condemning the possibility of nuclear weapons being used.

‘Any threat or use of nuclear weapons in the context of the ongoing war against Ukraine is inadmissible,’ the document stated. 

Servicemen of 24th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, named after King Danylo, fire a 120-mm mortar towards Russian troops

The countries also expressed concern over the possibility the conflict could turn nuclear

Ukrainian servicemen of the 148th Separate Artillery Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces, fire a BM-21 Grad multiple-launch rocket system toward Russian troops

There was also a call for the full exchange of captured soldiers and for all Ukrainian children deported to Russia and Russian-controlled territory to be returned home.

Kyiv has accused Moscow of illegally abducting almost 20,000 children since the start of the conflict – the Kremlin says it moved them for their own protection.

‘All prisoners of war must be released by complete exchange,’ the document stated.

‘All deported and unlawfully displaced Ukrainian children, and all other Ukrainian civilians who were unlawfully detained, must be returned to Ukraine,’ it added. 

On issues related to food and agricultural trade, the communique said: ‘Food security must not be weaponised in any way. Ukrainian agricultural products should be securely and freely provided to interested third countries.’

Ukraine is one of the world’s major agricultural producers and exporters, but Russia’s invasion has complicated its exports through the Black Sea, which has become a battle zone.

Ukrainian national guard servicemen from the Khartia Brigade fly a ‘vampire’ drone while bombing Russian positions

Ukrainian national guard servicemen of Khartia brigade run to reload a D-20 cannon while firing towards Russian positions

Ukrainian national guard servicemen of Khartia brigade take cover after firing towards Russian positions

‘Free, full and safe commercial navigation, as well as access to sea ports in the Black and Azov Seas, are critical,’ the final document stated.

It added: ‘Attacks on merchant ships in ports and along the entire route, as well as against civilian ports and civilian port infrastructure, are unacceptable.’ 

The document also suggested future talks on a framework for peace would need to include Russia.

‘We believe that reaching peace requires the involvement of and dialogue between all parties,’ the joint declaration stated.

It said the summit’s attendees had ‘decided to undertake concrete steps in the future in the above-mentioned areas with further engagement of the representatives of all parties’.