KYIV, Ukraine – As global leaders gathered in Switzerland for a two-day summit to discuss ways to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, tensions rose as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected the ceasefire terms proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Meloni criticized Putin’s plan as “propaganda” and argued that it effectively called for Ukraine to withdraw from its own territory. Scholz went further, labeling the plan as a “dictatorial peace.” Despite these strong objections, a draft declaration issued at the summit reiterated support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and unequivocally condemned any nuclear threats against the country.
Putin’s terms for a ceasefire, which included Ukrainian troop withdrawals from certain regions, were met with firm opposition from Ukraine’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak. Yermak emphasized that there would be no compromise on Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, or territorial integrity.
At the summit, which brought together representatives from over 90 countries and global institutions, the absence of Russia and China, a key ally of Russia, underscored the challenges of achieving significant progress at this stage. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remained optimistic, expressing a commitment to pursuing diplomacy and highlighting the importance of joint efforts in ending conflicts.
The summit discussions also addressed the issue of frozen Russian assets, with G7 leaders agreeing to allocate interest generated from these assets to support Ukraine in defending itself against Russian aggression. This financial support, amounting to around $3 billion annually, is intended to help Ukraine strengthen its defensive capabilities and economy.
As leaders navigate complex diplomatic negotiations and calls for peace, the conflict in Ukraine continues to escalate, underscoring the urgent need for international cooperation and efforts to resolve the crisis. The outcome of the summit and the subsequent actions taken by participating countries will play a crucial role in determining the path forward for Ukraine and its people.