Switzerland receives 100 state guests for Summit on Peace in Ukraine
Bern, 14.06.2024 - President Viola Amherd will open the summit on peace in Ukraine on Saturday, 15 June. 100 delegations will attend the summit, including 57 heads of state and government from around the world. The aim of the summit is to initiate a peace process, generate trust and outline ideas for the next steps towards such a process. All states present should be given the opportunity to put forward their visions for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
The Swiss delegation incudes President Viola Amherd, head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), and Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Prior to the start of the summit, President Amherd will hold bilateral talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The summit itself begins with the arrival of the state guests early on Saturday afternoon and runs until Sunday afternoon.
The aim of this summit is to stimulate a future peace process and to identify practical elements and steps on the way to such a process. By organising this summit, Switzerland is providing a platform for discussion where all states present can contribute their ideas and visions for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
The aim of this summit is to initiate a peace process. To achieve this, several elements are necessary: the broadest possible level of participation as a signal of support, the development of a common understanding on three topics that lend themselves to building trust, namely nuclear safety, food security and the humanitarian dimension, and set out a vision for the next steps in which Russia is included. In hosting this summit, Switzerland is providing a platform for dialogue where all states present can contribute their ideas for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.
The participation of 100 states and organisations from all around the world is a good starting point for this process. The programme provides for both plenary sessions and discussions on the three topics mentioned earlier. These include topics of global interest that directly affect a large number of states and that have been addressed in various peace plans proposed for peace in Ukraine. Whether in the humanitarian field, with the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilians and the repatriation of children, or in the areas of nuclear safety and food security – countries that have experienced conflict themselves can contribute their own experiences on all of these topics.
The summit also offers the opportunity to discuss for the first time at the highest level how and when Russia can be included in this process. For the Federal Council, the development of a lasting solution ultimately requires the participation of both sides. By organising this summit, Switzerland is enabling a first step that should trigger a process towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. As such Switzerland is continuing its long tradition of promoting dialogue.
Address for enquiries
DDPS Communications: kommunikation@gs-vbs.admin.ch, +41 (0) 58 464 50 58
FDFA Communications: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch, +41 (0) 58 460 55 55 for journalists, +41 (0) 58 462 31 53 for all other requests
Publisher
The Federal Council
https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html
General Secretariat DDPS
https://www.vbs.admin.ch/
