Ukraine peace conference will not urge Russia to withdraw troops

RT reported on June 11 that a draft joint statement prepared for the upcoming 'peace conference' on Ukraine in Switzerland may not include a demand for Russian forces to withdraw from all territories claimed by Kiev.

After reviewing the draft statement, the Japanese news agency said the document also omitted any mention of restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity.

The summit's agenda is expected to address only three of the 10 points pushed by Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, such as the safety of nuclear power plants, food security, prisoner release and the return of children evacuated by Russia from the conflict zone, NHK's English-language news site said.

Mr Zelensky’s top demands, first put forward in late 2022, included a complete withdrawal of Russian forces from all territories Ukraine considers its own, that Russia pay reparations and that its officials be put before a war tribunal. All of these were rejected by Moscow.

Diplomatic sources told NHK that these points were removed from the draft joint statement because it took into account the stance of some Asian and Middle Eastern countries that maintain ties with Russia.

According to the NHK report, the draft also states that all parties should participate in the search for peace and emphasizes the importance of Russia's participation in future discussions.

Russia has not been invited to the international conference scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at the Burgenstock resort near Lucerne. Mr Zelensky objected to the presence of a Russian delegation at the Swiss-hosted conference, saying it would derail Ukraine’s diplomatic efforts.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier told RT that it was “absurd” to hold a meeting aimed at resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine without Moscow attending. “This conference has absolutely no prospects,” he stressed.

Russian authorities immediately dismissed Mr Zelensky’s 10-point plan as “unacceptable” when it was first presented. According to Moscow, the proposal disregarded the reality on the ground and was a sign of Kiev’s unwillingness to engage in negotiations.

Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Moscow was ready to seek a diplomatic solution to the crisis, but stressed that “fantasies” could not be the basis for peace talks. “All negotiations are based on either military defeat or military victory. Of course, we will win,” Mr. Putin said.