80 Countries at Swiss Conference Agree Ukraine's Territorial Integrity Must Be Basis of Any Peace

A conference in Switzerland, attended by representatives from over 80 countries, concluded that any peace agreement regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict must be based on Ukraine's territorial integrity. This means that Russia must withdraw from all Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, and the Donbas region, which has been partially controlled by Russian-backed separatists since 2014. The conference, hosted by Switzerland and Ukraine, emphasized the importance of international law and the UN Charter in resolving the conflict. The conference's statement also stressed the need for accountability for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the war. While the conference did not specify any particular steps towards peace, it made clear that any agreement must recognize Ukraine's right to its own territory. This decision was met with criticism from Russia, which maintains that it has not annexed Ukraine's territory. The conference statement also acknowledged the suffering of civilians in Ukraine and the need for humanitarian assistance. The conference's decision aligns with the stance of many Western nations, who have repeatedly called for Russia's withdrawal from all Ukrainian territory. The conference's statement reflects a growing international consensus that any peace deal must respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Summary

"The conference in Switzerland brought together representatives from over 80 countries, all agreeing that any peace settlement for the Russia-Ukraine conflict must uphold Ukraine's territorial integrity. This agreement, which includes the withdrawal of Russian forces from all Ukrainian territories, including Crimea and the Donbas region, reflects a growing international consensus and highlights the importance of international law in resolving the conflict."