By Steve Holland and Dave Graham
BUERGENSTOCK, Switzerland (Reuters) -World leaders gathered at a Swiss Alpine resort on Saturday to hunt 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 personal rival ceasefire plans from afar.
Greater than 90 international locations took half, however China’s absence specifically dimmed hopes the summit would present Russia as globally remoted, whereas latest army reverses have put Kyiv on the again foot. The battle in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has additionally diverted the world’s consideration from Ukraine.
The talks targeted on broader issues triggered by the battle, equivalent to meals and nuclear safety. However Turkey and Saudi Arabia, each mooted hosts for an additional such occasion, mentioned significant progress required Russia’s participation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy trumpeted the huge attendance as successful and predicted “historical past being made”.
“In the present day is the day when the world begins to deliver a simply peace nearer,” he advised leaders assembled round a large rectangular desk.
U.S. President Joe Biden despatched his deputy Kamala Harris to characterize him – a choice that had riled Kyiv.
Harris introduced greater than $1.5 billion in vitality and humanitarian assist for Ukraine, the place infrastructure has been pounded by Russian air strikes for the reason that 2022 full-scale invasion.
On the eve of the summit, Putin mentioned Russia would finish the battle if Kyiv agreed to drop its NATO ambitions and hand over 4 provinces claimed by Moscow. The circumstances apparently mirrored Moscow’s rising confidence its forces have the higher hand.
However they have been swiftly rejected by Ukraine and its allies.
“He is calling for give up,” Harris mentioned, including: “Let nothing in regards to the finish of this battle be determined with out Ukraine.”
“Freezing the battle right this moment, with international troops occupying Ukrainian land, isn’t the reply. It’s a recipe for future wars of aggression,” added European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen.
CHINA AND RUSSIA
China mentioned it might boycott the occasion after Russia was frozen out of the method, with the U.S. suggesting Beijing’s determination was taken at Moscow’s behest.
“Putin has little interest in a real peace,” mentioned British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
“He has launched a sustained diplomatic marketing campaign towards this summit ordering international locations to remain away, spinning a phoney narrative about his willingness to barter.”
Avoiding a few of the most troublesome points, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in contrast the summit to “a small plant that wants watering, nurturing and delicate care” that will yield outcomes additional down the road.
However international locations together with Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Kenya famous Russia’s absence as a hurdle.
“I have to additionally word that this summit may have been extra result-oriented if the opposite occasion to the battle, Russia, was current within the room,” mentioned Turkey’s Overseas Minister Hakan Fidan.
Saudi Arabia’s Overseas Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud mentioned credible talks would contain “troublesome compromise”.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer noticed a possibility to start out constructing a broader international consensus to stress Russia.
“It is like we’re in a Western echo chamber. That’s: all Western European international locations, the USA, we agree on what we need to occur with Ukraine,” Nehammer mentioned. “However that alone isn’t sufficient.”
Requires Russia to be on the desk will solely get stronger over time, mentioned Bob Deen, senior analysis fellow on the Netherlands-based Clingendael Institute think-tank.
“There’s a threat that if Ukraine waits too lengthy, it would find yourself with rival codecs popping up. It might threat dropping the initiative,” Deen advised a discussion board on the summit’s sidelines.
Supporters of Ukraine are marking the talks with a collection of occasions within the close by metropolis of Lucerne to attract consideration to the battle’s humanitarian prices.
Dozens of Ukrainian refugees from choirs round Switzerland converged in a public sq. to sing Beethoven’s “Ode to Pleasure”.
Earlier about 250 individuals gathered within the centre of town, many wrapped in Ukrainian flags, sporting conventional garments and carrying footage of lacking brothers, husbands or sons as they shared their tales.
“I am clinging to the concept my husband continues to be alive,” mentioned Svitlana Bilous, the spouse of a soldier who has been lacking for greater than 14 months. “That is what retains me going.”