PEACE SUMMIT -
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
News: 80 countries at Swiss
conference agree territorial integrity of Ukraine must be basis of any peace
What's in the news?
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Ninety states from around the globe have signed up
to attend a peace conference aimed at finding a sustainable solution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Key takeaways:
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The summit, hosted by Switzerland at Kyiv’s request, will take place on June 15-16, 2024.
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However, Russia
has not been invited to participate.
Peace Summit:
●
The summit underscores the international
community’s efforts to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict between Russia
and Ukraine, with a focus on humanitarian issues and global security.
Venue - Bürgenstock Resort, Switzerland.
Participants:
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It was attended by 100 delegations, including 80 countries and four organizations.
Aim:
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The summit aims to agree on a path towards ending the war in Ukraine and
establishing lasting peace.
Main Issues Discussed:
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It focuses on nuclear safety, global food security,
and humanitarian issues.
Non-Signatories:
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India did not sign the document and Brazil attended as
an observer.
Highlights of the
Declaration:
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The declaration condemned the Russian Federation’s
war against Ukraine for causing large-scale human suffering and global crises.
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Humanitarian Demands include release of all
prisoners of war and return of deported and unlawfully displaced Ukrainian
children and civilians.
Challenges:
1. Russia’s Absence:
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Russia was not invited, raising questions about the
summit’s effectiveness.
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The host, Switzerland, adheres to the Rome Statute,
which could have led to Putin’s arrest if he attended.
2. China’s Position:
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China’s absence was noted as problematic, with
calls for China to leverage its influence over Russia to help end the conflict.
India’s Stand at the
Summit:
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India had joined the summit to explore the way
forward to a negotiated settlement of a very
complex and pressing issue.
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India was represented by the Secretary (West) in
the Ministry of External Affairs.
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Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had asked
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the summit.
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However, India, which has strategic ties with
Moscow and a strong dependence on Russia for defence supplies, decided to send
a Secretary-level official for the summit.
India and Joint
Communique:
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India decided to not sign the joint communique by
saying that only those options acceptable to both parties can lead to abiding
peace.
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It underlined that enduring peace can be achieved only through dialogue and diplomacy.
Other Countries Not
Signing the Final Communique:
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Besides India,
Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico and UAE were among
countries participating at the summit on peace for Ukraine but did not sign a
final communique.
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Brazil, which was listed as an observer on the list of
attendees, also did not feature as a signatory.