Switzerland has agreed to host a peace summit at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The leader of Ukraine arrived in Bern on Jan. 15 to meet with the country’s leaders and to attend the World Economic Forum’s gathering in Davos. His country has been at war with Russia since late February of 2022.
“I confirmed that Switzerland is ready to organize the conference,” said Swiss President Viola Amherd, per The Daily Mail. “We agreed that the details of the further approach will be looked into in depth in order to make this peace process a success.”
Amherd said Switzerland will “fight for long-lasting and just peace in Ukraine.”
“We would want the countries of the global south to be present, for sure, we would want China to be involved,” she said.
At the press conference, Zelensky said he wants “all countries that respect [Ukraine’s] sovereignty and territorial integrity” to be involved in the gathering when asked if Russian officials would be invited to the summit.
“We would like the Global South to be present,” he said, adding that he would like China to be involved, per Barron’s. “It is important for us to show that the whole world is against Russia's aggression, and the whole world is for a just peace.”
In a separate statement on X, Zelensky vowed to “discuss the return of Ukrainian children stolen by Russia, sanctions, ways to use frozen Russian assets, humanitarian mine clearing, financial assistance, and recovery.”
“I believe that Switzerland's participation in the Peace Formula, as well as its relevant experience, can help bring our vision of just peace closer,” he wrote.
As the second anniversary of the Ukraine-Russia conflict approaches, Zelensky is hoping to reignite support for his country. He promised that at least one million drones would be built and predicted the increased use of F-16 fighter jets during his New Year’s address.
“Next year, the enemy will feel the wrath of domestic production,” he said, per the BBC.
According to Foreign Affairs, “both Moscow and Kyiv are in a race to rebuild offensive combat power… While the first half of 2024 may bring few changes in control of Ukrainian territory, the materiel, personnel training, and casualties that each side accrues in the next few months will determine the long-term trajectory of the conflict.”
“The West in fact faces a crucial choice right now: support Ukraine so that its leaders can defend their territory and prepare for a 2025 offensive or cede an irrecoverable advantage to Russia,” the publication noted.
The United States Department of Defense announced on Dec. 27 it would supply Ukraine with a new security assistance package valued at approximately $250 million.
“The package includes air defense capabilities, artillery and antitank weapons and other equipment to help Ukraine in its continued fight to counter Russia's unprovoked invasion,” the D.O.D. stated in a press release. “The latest round of assistance marks the 54th drawdown of military equipment for Ukraine from DOD inventories since August 2021.”
