Putin Peace Terms Crush into Ukraine Summit: Russia, China Absence Raise Questions

The war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas grabbed global attention amid the Russia-Ukraine war. But to arrive at a collaborative consensus, a coalition of government and national efforts is imperative. On June 15, more than 50 world leaders gathered in Switzerland for the Ukraine Summit, aimed at pressuring Russia to stop and revive peace at the Ukraine borderline. But dramatic diplomacy doesn’t end here.

On Friday, Putin clarified that it would not agree to a ceasefire until and unless Ukraine withdrew troops from four regions that Russia has already occupied. However, according to the BBC report, Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed that Ukraine will never compromise its independence, territorial integrity, or sovereignty.

When Moscow phrased the Ukraine Summit as ‘Futile’, Russia was not invited to the proceedings. Whereas, countries that maintained a friendlier relationship with Russia like, India, Hungary, and Turkey attended the event. However, the plan to isolate Russia from the international platform couldn’t attained as China too stayed away from the Ukraine Summit.

Putin’s Proposal at the Ukraine Summit

On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia would end the war if Ukraine abandoned its NATO ambitions and relinquished control of four provinces claimed by Moscow—demands that Kyiv quickly rejected as tantamount to surrender. Ukraine, the U.S., and other Western allies promptly dismissed Putin’s conditions, with Germany’s Chancellor Scholz remarking that the “proposal wasn’t meant seriously.”

On Saturday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned against any agreements allowing Russia to retain control over Ukrainian territory. “Halting the conflict now, with foreign forces occupying Ukrainian territory, is not a solution. It sets the stage for future aggressive wars.,” she said. “Rather, we must advocate for a complete, fair, and lasting peace for Ukraine that restores its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” she added.

Some interpreted Putin’s statement as a sign of increased confidence that Russian forces hold the upper hand in the conflict. Russian troops, who already control significant portions of eastern and southern Ukraine, have made territorial gains in recent months. However, Ukrainian forces have recently recaptured substantial areas, particularly near the southern city of Kherson and the northern city of Kharkiv.

Peter Zalmayev, director of the Eurasia Democracy Initiative (EDI), told Al Jazeera from the Ukraine Summit that the recent G7 leaders’ pledge to use the interest from frozen Russian funds for a $50 billion loan to Ukraine will act as a “lifeline.” However, he noted that the war, despite favoring Moscow, has devolved into a war of attrition for both nations.

Negotiations are likely the only path to an eventual peace, he said, adding, “The sides are more distant from each other now than they have been at any point during this conflict.” Russia has framed its military actions in Ukraine as part of a larger struggle against the West, which it claims aims to weaken Russia. Ukraine and Western nations reject this narrative, accusing Russia of conducting an illegal war of conquest.

Russia-China and Ukraine Summit

China announced a boycott of the Ukraine Summit after Russia was suspended from the process, and the United States suggested that Beijing’s decision was made at Moscow’s request.”Putin is not interested in real peace,” British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said. “He launched a sustained diplomatic campaign against this Ukraine Summit, telling countries to stay away, spreading a false narrative about his willingness to negotiate.”

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz avoids some of the more difficult issues by comparing the peak to “a little plant that needs watering, tending, and tender care” that will produce results at a later stage. However, countries like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Kenya saw Russia’s absence as an obstacle. “I must also note that this Ukraine Summit could be more result-oriented if Russia, the other side of the conflict, was present,” said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said credible talks would require “difficult compromises.” Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer saw an opportunity to begin building a broader global consensus to put pressure on Russia. “We are like the echo chamber of the West. This means that all the countries of Western Europe, including the United States, agree on what we want to happen to Ukraine,” said Nehammer.

“But that alone is not enough.” Demands for Russia to come to the table will only intensify over time, said Bob Deen, a senior researcher at the Clingendael Institute, a Dutch think tank. “There is a risk that if Ukraine waits too long, it could end up with competing formats. It could lose the initiative,” Deen said at a forum on the sidelines of the summit.

Supporters of Ukraine marked the talks with several events in the nearby city of Lucerne to draw attention to the humanitarian costs of the war. Dozens of Ukrainian refugees from Swiss choirs gathered in a public square to sing Beethoven’s Ode to Joy.

Earlier, about 250 people gathered downtown, many wrapped in Ukrainian flags, dressed in traditional clothing, and carrying pictures of missing brothers, husbands, or sons as they told their stories. “I cling to the thought that my husband is still alive,” said Svitlana Bilous, the wife of a soldier who has been missing for more than 14 months. “It keeps me going.”

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Internal Outlooks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy praised the Ukraine Summit at the Lake Lucerne resort as a demonstration of international support for Kyiv, even as some European allies stressed the need for broader outreach for a lasting peace plan. One of the main goals of the Swiss and Ukrainian organizers is to announce the host country for a follow-up conference on Sunday to build on the Swiss momentum, though the draft communique did not mention this.

Switzerland also faced some internal criticism. Nils Fiechter, a member of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP), the largest group in the Swiss lower house of parliament, appeared on Russia Today to call the summit a “farce,” arguing that it undermined Swiss neutrality and that Russia should have a seat at the table.

Conclusion

The Ukraine Summit follows the G7 leaders’ decision to utilize interest accrued from frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine in its defense against Russian invaders. Although the funds are anticipated by year-end, they are viewed as a strategic measure to bolster Ukraine’s war efforts and economy over the long term.

In the short term, Ukraine emphasizes an urgent need for additional weaponry, particularly air defense systems, to counter Russian missile and drone assaults. Additionally, Ukraine aims to begin receiving F-16 fighter jets as early as this summer.