The Swiss summit showed weak support for Vladimir Zelenskyy’s diplomatic efforts in the global South. The most important countries either did not attend or refused to sign on to the final declaration. Reuters reports that Saudi Arabia, which was seen as a platform for a follow-up conference, was “remarkably silent.” The country’s foreign minister believes “difficult compromises” will be needed for such a meeting to succeed.
Zelenskyy’s “peace conference” ended in Switzerland. Although important countries of the global South ignored it, or at least refused to sign the final declaration, the organisers of the meeting hope for a continuation of the format, possibly with Russia’s participation. Swiss President Viola Amherd warned that “the road ahead is long and difficult”.
Russia believes that the participants of the meeting “do not know what they are doing there and what their role is”. Thus, the summit was summarised by former President Dmitry Medvedev. Reuters notes that “No country has come forward with a proposal to hold another such meeting.”
Saudi Arabia, which was seen as a platform for the next summit “has been remarkably silent.” Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, said “the kingdom is ready to facilitate the peace process, but a viable settlement will depend on a difficult compromise.”
