World leaders join Ukraine summit in test of Kyiv's peace push

Stansstad, Switzerland, June 15, 2024. Urs Flueeler/Pool via REUTERS

By Steve Holland and Dave Graham

BUERGENSTOCK, Switzerland (Reuters) -World leaders gathered at a Swiss Alpine resort on Saturday to seek broader consensus for Ukraine's peace proposals at a summit shunned by China and dismissed as a waste of time by Russia, which pushed its own rival ceasefire plans from afar.

Swiss Federal President Viola Amherd, second-left, speaks next to Swiss Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine Head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, and Vice President Kamala Harris of United States, from left to right, during the opening plenary session, during the Summit on peace in Ukraine, in Stansstad near Lucerne, Switzerland, Saturday, June 15, 2024. Heads of state from around the world gather on the Buergenstock Resort in central Switzerland for the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, on June 15 and 16. MICHAEL BUHOLZER/Pool via REUTERS

More than 90 countries took part, but China's absence in particular dimmed hopes the summit would show Russia as globally isolated, while recent military reverses have put Kyiv on the back foot. The war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has also diverted the world's attention from Ukraine.

Swiss Federal President Viola Amherd speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy after a press statement, during the Summit on peace in Ukraine, in Stansstad near Lucerne, Switzerland, Saturday, June 15, 2024. MICHAEL BUHOLZER/Pool via REUTERS

The talks focused on broader concerns triggered by the war, such as food and nuclear security. But Turkey and Saudi Arabia, both mooted hosts for another such event, said meaningful progress required Russia's participation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy trumpeted the wide attendance as a success and predicted "history being made".

"Today is the day when the world begins to bring a just peace closer," he told leaders assembled around a giant rectangular table.

U.S. President Joe Biden sent his deputy Kamala Harris to represent him - a decision that had riled Kyiv.

Harris announced more than $1.5 billion in energy and humanitarian aid for Ukraine, where infrastructure has been pounded by Russian air strikes since the 2022 full-scale invasion.

On the eve of the summit, Putin said Russia would end the war if Kyiv agreed to drop its NATO ambitions and hand over four provinces claimed by Moscow. The conditions apparently reflected Moscow's growing confidence its forces have the upper hand.

But they were swiftly rejected by Ukraine and its allies.

"He's calling for surrender," Harris said, adding: "Let nothing about the end of this war be decided without Ukraine."

"Freezing the conflict today, with foreign troops occupying Ukrainian land, is not the answer. It is a recipe for future wars of aggression," added European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a press statement, during the Summit on peace in Ukraine, in Stansstad near Lucerne, Switzerland, Saturday, June 15, 2024. Heads of state from around the world gather at the Buergenstock Resort in central Switzerland for the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, on June 15 and 16. MICHAEL BUHOLZER/Pool via REUTERS

CHINA AND RUSSIA

China said it would boycott the event after Russia was frozen out of the process, with the U.S. suggesting Beijing's decision was taken at Moscow's behest.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau looks on, on the day of the opening ceremony of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine at the Buergenstock Resort in Stansstad near Lucerne, Switzerland, June 15, 2024. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/Pool

"Putin has no interest in a genuine peace," said British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

"He has launched a sustained diplomatic campaign against this summit ordering countries to stay away, spinning a phoney narrative about his willingness to negotiate."

Avoiding some of the most difficult issues, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz compared the summit to "a small plant that needs watering, nurturing and delicate care" that would yield results further down the line.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attends the opening ceremony of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine at the Buergenstock Resort in Stansstad near Lucerne, Switzerland, June 15, 2024. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/Pool

But countries including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Kenya noted Russia's absence as a hurdle.

"I must also note that this summit could have been more result-oriented if the other party to the conflict, Russia, was present in the room," said Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said credible talks would involve "difficult compromise".

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer saw an opportunity to start building a broader global consensus to pressure Russia.

"It's like we're in a Western echo chamber. That is: all Western European countries, the USA, we agree on what we want to happen with Ukraine," Nehammer said. "But that alone is not enough."

Calls for Russia to be at the table will only get stronger over time, said Bob Deen, senior research fellow at the Netherlands-based Clingendael Institute think-tank.

"There is a risk that if Ukraine waits too long, it might end up with rival formats popping up. It may risk losing the initiative," Deen told a forum on the summit's sidelines.

Supporters of Ukraine are marking the talks with a series of events in the nearby city of Lucerne to draw attention to the war's humanitarian costs.

Dozens of Ukrainian refugees from choirs around Switzerland converged in a public square to sing Beethoven's "Ode to Joy".

Earlier about 250 people gathered in the centre of the city, many wrapped in Ukrainian flags, wearing traditional clothes and carrying pictures of missing brothers, husbands or sons as they shared their stories.

"I'm clinging to the idea that my husband is still alive," said Svitlana Bilous, the wife of a soldier who has been missing for more than 14 months. "That's what keeps me going."

(Reporting by Dave Graham, John Revill, Thomas Escritt, Emma Farge, Alan Charlish, Steve Holland, Sabine Siebold, Pavel Polityuk, Felix Hoske, Tom Balmforth, David Milliken, Burcu KarakasWriting by Dave Graham and Matthias WilliamsEditing by Frances Kerry, Helen Popper and Mark Potter)