Ukraine’s Foreign Minister explains why Russia can’t be invited to Peace Summit in Switzerland

Foreign Minister of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba. Photo: Dmytro Kuleba/X

Experience of negotiations with Russia Ukraine had between 2014 and 2022 tells Ukrainians they wouldn’t bring long-term peace now.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated this in an interview with Foreign Policy.

“Our approach comes from reality and from the experience that we gained between 2014 and 2022… [Back then], we had almost 200 rounds of talks with Russia in different formats, with mediators and bilaterally. But nothing worked. It ended up in a large-scale invasion. So we know that it doesn’t make sense to have Russia at the table if you cannot ensure that they sit at the table and act in good faith,” Dmytro Kuleba stressed.

Switzerland confirmed no Russian leaders will attend the peace conference which is to take place near Lucerne on June 15-16. Also, Russia itself denied any interest in the format.

“Switzerland has always shown openness to extending an invitation to Russia for this Summit. However, Russia has said repeatedly and also publicly that it has no interest in participating in this first Summit,” says the official statement by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that heads of state and government from all continents are invited to the Peace Summit in Switzerland and expected to attend.

“I am certain that every peace-loving nation in the world is interested in attending the Summit, because its significance extends far beyond Ukraine. It is about every nation’s global role, as well as genuine respect for international law and peaceful coexistence throughout the world,” President of Ukraine wrote on X.

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