Taoiseach Simon Harris expressed concern toward any peace arrangement between Moscow and Kyiv that does not honour Ukraine’s territorial sovereignty, flagging it as a catastrophic blow to the stability established after the war. He fervently advocates for the cause of missing Ukrainian children at the Bürgenstock summit held near Lucerne, Switzerland, which saw the participation of over 100 governments and global bodies. The goal was to strategise future action towards a peace settlement by Sunday.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy unambiguously stated to over 100 representatives of states and institutions that everyone at the summit shares a common objective for a fair and comprehensive peace. He further emphasised that nations are resilient in the face of an attacker and international law continues to be crucial for smooth coexistence. He noted that the assembly itself testifies that the UN charter and fundamental conventions continue to carry immense importance.
Notably absent was Russia, with President Vladimir Putin, on the eve of the summit, offering a peace plan that would see Ukraine surrender territory currently occupied by Russian troops. Mr Harris vehemently disagreed saying, “Putin is not eligible to dictate preconditions”. He maintained that any peace settlement must honour Ukraine’s territorial boundaries.
He also expressed that any consideration of a plan that contradicts this would be disastrous and implausible from an Irish, European, and global standpoint.
The Taoiseach declared this largest gathering since the war broke out in February 2022 as a crucial first step towards presenting a vision for peace. The main discussions are centred around subjects like nuclear safety, food security and humanitarian issues.
Ireland has been extending its support to Ukraine through demining and cybersecurity support and also by providing electricity generators. Mr Harris personally contributes to a subordinate group exploring the issue of an approximate 20,000 children separated from their families and relocated since the onset of the war in Ukraine. “Such an act is not only unlawful, but morally disgusting”, quipped Mr Harris while pledging a more rigid stance towards Russia in this matter, both directly and via mediators.
China, a potential mediator with Russia, disregarded the gathering as they view it as mere talk. However, Mr Harris expressed his disappointment about China’s absence and hoped for cooperation from other countries in the future.
The significance of communication in democratic nations was emphasised during an international discussion, where the objective was to create a collective agreement. In the initial session, with Russia and China missing, the spotlight was on Saudi Arabia, perceived as a bridge with Moscow and a potential location for a subsequent conference.
The Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister, Faisal bin al Saud, voiced his optimism that the meeting in Switzerland would initiate a “political course” composed of impartial talks between all involved parties. He stressed that any believable procedure would necessitate Russia’s involvement and expressed hope that the summit’s outcomes would mirror these intentions.
The conference, conducted at the behest of Ukraine and hosted by Switzerland, was inaugurated by Swiss Federal President Viola Amherd. She stated that everyone recognises the impossibility of a peaceful resolution without Russia, and that a permanent solution must involve all parties. She added, representing the global community, we are here to assist in establishing the path towards this.
Before the assembly, US Vice-President Kamala Harris pledged a financial assistance package of €1.4 billion to restore energy generation facilities damaged in Russian attacks. At the conference, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, claimed that Russia’s aggression violated the UN charter, serving as a warning for the entire globe. She asserted that reaffirming the United Nations charter is a shared responsibility.
Lastly, Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejected Russia’s propositions, asserting that recognising realities to declare a ceasefire would essentially be validating an unlawful territorial acquisition. He warned it could lead to another unresolved conflict which would be unfair, perilous, and unsustainable for not only Ukraine but also Europe and the international community.