Nuclear fears dominate Ukraine peace summit

The international peace summit on Ukraine aimed to address key issues such as food security, preventing nuclear disasters, and returning deported children from Russia, as countries worked towards building a foundation for ending the war.

More than two years after Russia’s invasion, leaders and top officials from over 90 nations gathered at a Swiss mountain resort for a landmark two-day summit focused on resolving Europe’s largest conflict since World War II.

On Saturday, world leaders showed solidarity, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressing hope for international consensus around a proposal to end the war, which he could eventually present to Moscow.

“We must collectively define what a just peace means for the world and how to achieve it sustainably,” Zelensky told leaders at the luxury Burgenstock retreat overlooking Lake Lucerne.

The summit, which Russia and its ally China did not attend, comes as Ukraine faces challenges on the battlefield, being outmanned and outgunned.

On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded Ukraine’s effective surrender as a basis for peace talks, calling for Ukraine to withdraw from the south and east of the country. These demands were widely dismissed at the summit.

The discussions focused on common ground between Zelensky’s 10-point peace plan, presented in late 2022, and widely supported UN resolutions on the war.

On Sunday, attendees broke into three working groups to discuss nuclear safety, humanitarian issues, and food security and freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.

– Humanitarian Concerns –

The session on humanitarian issues addressed prisoners of war, civilian detainees, and the repatriation of children taken from occupied Ukrainian territories into Russia.

“We’ve seen around 20,000 Ukrainian children effectively abducted from their families, communities, and country. This is terrifying and unacceptable,” said Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris. “Using children as weapons of war is illegal and morally repugnant. The international community must call this out.”

Ireland and 27 other countries, including Canada, Chile, Colombia, Georgia, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Qatar, Rwanda, and Saudi Arabia, are focusing on this issue.

– Food Security –

The food security discussions examined the decline in agricultural production and exports, which has impacted global markets, as Ukraine was a major breadbasket before the war.

The 30 countries in this working group include Brazil, Britain, Germany, Ghana, Israel, Kenya, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, and Turkey. The talks also addressed the destruction of fertile land and the risks posed by mines and unexploded ordnance.

“Finding a political solution in Ukraine is crucial for stabilizing global food prices,” said Switzerland, the host country.

Artillery attacks on ships in the Black Sea have increased maritime transport costs, and ensuring safe shipping would strengthen food security in many low-income countries and restore regional stability, Switzerland added.

– Nuclear Safety –

The nuclear safety group focused on the security of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, particularly Zaporizhzhia, where reactors have been shut down since mid-April. Discussions aimed at reducing the risk of accidents from malfunctions or attacks.

“I am ready to discuss nuclear safety because this poses a significant threat to our security,” said Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda.

Thirty countries, including Argentina, Australia, France, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, and the United States, participated in this group.

– Future Plans –

There are plans for a potential second summit, where Ukraine hopes to present Russia with an internationally agreed plan for peace. Zelensky did not indicate whether he would engage directly with Putin, though he has previously ruled out direct talks.

“Russia should join this process because it initiated the war,” said Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili. Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic mentioned that Moscow could join the next summit if conditions are favorable.

However, Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani doubted Putin’s interest in peace, saying he stands against stability and good neighborly relations.

Some participants noted that Ukraine might need to make difficult compromises to end the war, highlighting the challenge Kyiv faces in securing an agreement.

“Any credible process will need Russia’s participation,” said Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud.