Ukraine: Switzerland summit, all parties are needed for peace
“Achieving peace requires involvement and dialogue between all parties,” reads a joint statement released at the end of the first day of the Peace Summit in Ukraine underway in
Switzerland and cited by international media. Below is the text of the press release: «The Russian Federation’s ongoing war against Ukraine continues to cause large-scale human suffering and destruction and create risks and crises with global repercussions for the world. We gathered in Switzerland on 15 and 16 June 2024 to strengthen a high-level dialogue on paths to comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine. We reaffirmed resolutions A/RES/ES-11/1 and A/RES/ES-11/6 adopted by the United Nations General Assembly and underlined our commitment to uphold international law, including the United Nations Charter. This summit built on previous discussions that took place on Ukraine’s peace formula and other peace proposals. We deeply appreciate Switzerland’s hospitality and its initiative to host the high-level summit as an expression of its firm commitment to promoting international peace and security. We had a fruitful, comprehensive and constructive exchange of various views on the paths towards a framework for global, just and lasting peace. In particular, we reaffirm our commitment to refrain from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, the principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all states, including Ukraine, within their internationally recognized borders, including territorial waters, and the resolution of disputes by peaceful means as principles of international law. «We also have a common vision on the following crucial aspects: 1) First, any use of nuclear energy and nuclear facilities must be safe, secure and environmentally friendly. Ukrainian nuclear power plants and facilities, including the Zaporizhzhia Power Plant, must operate safely and securely under the full sovereign control of Ukraine and in line with and under the supervision of the IAEA principles. Any threat or use of nuclear weapons in the context of the ongoing war against Ukraine is unacceptable. 2) Second, global food security depends on the production and uninterrupted supply of food products. In this regard, free, complete and safe commercial navigation, as well as access to seaports in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov, are crucial. Attacks on commercial ships in ports and along the entire route are unacceptable, as well as against civilian ports and civilian port infrastructure. Food safety should not be used as a weapon in any way. Ukrainian agricultural products should be supplied safely and free of charge to interested third countries. 3) Third, all prisoners of war must be released by full exchange. All illegally deported and displaced Ukrainian children, and all other Ukrainian civilians who have been illegally detained, must be returned to Ukraine. «We believe that achieving peace requires involvement and dialogue between all parties. We have therefore decided to take concrete steps in the future in the above-mentioned areas with further commitment from representatives of all parties. The United Nations Charter, including the principles of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all States, can and will serve as the basis for achieving comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.»
