World leaders will come together in Switzerland on Saturday to hold a summit aimed at putting pressure on Russia to stop the war in Ukraine. However, without China and other influential partners of Moscow who are not present, this is unlikely to have much impact.
The summit is expected to be attended by many pro-Ukraine countries but China will not participate following the freezing out of Russia from proceedings for the reason that it dismissed them as a waste of time and had no interest attending the same.
Hopes of isolating Moscow have faded with the absence of China while recent military reverses put Kyiv on its heels. Also Gaza war between Israel and Hamas diverted attention from Ukraine.
According to sources privy to the matter, these discussions will focus on broader concerns beyond just the war such as food security, nuclear security and freedom of navigation; and according to a draft version of final declaration, which asserts that Russia is responsible for aggression causing conflict.
Richard Gowan, Director UN at International Crisis Group said “The summit risks showing the limits of Ukrainian diplomacy.” But he added: “Nonetheless, it is also a chance for Ukraine to remind the world that it is defending the principles of the UN Charter.”
Russia said on Friday that it would end its operations in Ukraine only if Kyiv gave up its hopes of joining Nato and handed over four whole provinces claimed by Moscow – demands instantly rejected by Kyiv as tantamount to capitulation.
This was an apparent reflection that Moscow believes it has an upper hand in this war.
Moscow represents what it calls special military action in Ukraine as being part of wider struggle with West trying to bring down Russia. The West and Kyiv reject this position blaming Russia for leading illegal seizure wars.
Switzerland agreed to take on this summit at Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s request because they envisaged future peace talks including Russia.
But geopolitical divisions over Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II have overshadowed the summit, with Zelenskiy even accusing Beijing of undermining it by actively supporting Moscow – a charge China denied through its foreign ministry.
China had said it might participate in the summit but ultimately chose not to because Russia would not be there.
“It is clear that in geopolitical terms, regarding China at present, the special relationship with Russia prevails over any other consideration,” said Bernardino Regazzoni, a former Swiss ambassador to China.
The two-day event at Buergenstock, a mountain resort in central Switzerland will be attended by approximately 90 countries and organisations. Another option has been floated by Beijing against this event also.
Among others set to attend are US vice president Kamala Harris and the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Britain, Canada and Japan. They will also have India, Turkey and Hungary which remain closer to Russia joining them.
Moscow as well refused this initiative claiming that without her participation it would be “futile.”
Supporters of Ukraine will use the Swiss talks as an opportunity for events in Lucerne near Luzernica about humanitarian costs of war including a demonstration demanding Russian-held prisoners and children back.
The impact of the summit will be limited as without help from Moscow’s key supporters, European officials privately admit.
“What can (Zelenskyy) hope for out of it?” asked Daniel Woker a former Swiss ambassador. “Another small step forward in international solidarity with Ukraine as the victim of Russian aggression.”
