A meeting dedicated to discussing peace in Ukraine ended without a tangible result since the talks were held on the eve of the World Economic Forum in Davos with the second anniversary of the war in Ukraine looming, according to The Independent.
Representatives from more than 83 countries attended the fourth meeting of national security advisers, yet participants failed to reach agreement on ending a conflict that appears to be at a stalemate.
Ignazio Cassis, the host Swiss foreign minister, stated that the meeting helped clarify some points for future discussions. However, he also added that neither warring party was willing to make territorial concessions, making it difficult to conclude the conflict further.
It should be noted that China and the warring party Russia did not participate in the negotiations. Ukraine hoped for Beijing’s attendance, as it has great influence over Moscow.
Kyiv had also hoped to reach an agreement to hold a leaders’ meeting to push forward peace talks based on Zelensky’s 10-point plan. However, no agreement was reached on Sunday.
Andriy Yermak, Chief of Staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stated that the allies did not pressure Ukraine to cede territory to Russia “which they know is not acceptable to us,” and it [Ukraine] would never agree to a “frozen conflict.”
Countries from the Global South are increasingly getting involved in our work. It shows understanding that this European conflict is in fact a challenge for all humanity.
Zelensky’s 10-point peace plan calls for the withdrawal of Russian troops, cessation of hostilities and restoration of Ukraine’s 1991 state borders, including the retrieval of Crimea.
Cassis defended Russia’s absence, saying that “for now, Russia is not ready to take any step or make any concession.” He also acknowledged “many challenges” in the negotiation process and claimed that negotiators were working to “modulate” the peace formula to make it more attractive to Russia.
Yermak signalled on Sunday the importance of China’s presence at the negotiating table as Ukraine is convening further meetings on the peace formula. Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang will lead the Chinese delegation to Davos amid speculation over his meeting with Zelensky. Cassis recognised China’s role in mediation:
China plays a significant role. We must find ways to work with China on this.
The meeting took place ahead of the annual gathering of political and business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Monday night, where Zelensky would seek to revive support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia amid growing geopolitical divisions in the Middle East.
US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Antony Blinken are also expected to speak at the WEF as concerns grow over Washington’s maintaining support for Ukraine in an election year.
The Swiss Foreign Ministry stated ahead of Sunday’s talks:
The war is far from over and peace is still nowhere in sight.
