Swiss President Viola Amherd announced on Monday that representatives from ninety countries worldwide are expected to participate in a conference dedicated to forging a path to sustainable peace in Ukraine.
However, Russia will not be among the attendees.
The conference, scheduled for June 15–16, aims to foster discussions and agreements towards resolving the ongoing conflict, which began nearly 28 months ago with the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.
Despite being hosted at Kyiv’s request, Russia will not be attending the conference organised by Switzerland.
Bern had previously stated that Russia was not invited, as it had indicated a lack of interest in participating.
Moscow contends that Switzerland’s alignment with sanctions imposed by the European Union disqualifies it from neutrality.
Nevertheless, the Swiss government has asserted that the conference’s objective is to collaboratively outline a roadmap for involving both Russia and Ukraine in future peace efforts.
Invitation list
Amherd said that “a handful” of the confirmed participants are from organisations like the United Nations, with the rest representing countries, about half of which are sending a head of state or government.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz are set to appear.
US President Joe Biden will not but the White House will instead send Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
Amherd denied that Switzerland was “disappointed” that fewer than 100 countries would attend after about 160 invitations were sent.
Swiss officials revealed that Brazil and China declared their intention not to participate unless all sides, including Russia, were represented at the conference.
This decision came after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Beijing, in collaboration with Russia, of attempting to sabotage the summit by exerting pressure on other nations to abstain from attending.