On June 15-16, Switzerland will convene scores of world leaders, including from France, Poland, Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany and Canada, to outline initial steps toward achieving peace in Ukraine. Russia, which launched the full-scale invasion of its neighbor in 2022, is not attending the event.
President Duda, speaking before his departure for the summit on Saturday, highlighted that the meeting could be a good opportunity to show countries geographically distant from the conflict, the severity of Russian aggression and its implications for global security.
He said, referring to the ongoing hybrid attacks against Poland: “I hope that this message will be clearly conveyed by presenting the situation in the region. Where today Belarus, together with Russia, is hybrid attacking Poland, the Baltic States, and Finland through migratory pressure.”
He added that the aim of the conference is to make partners aware of the scale of Russia’s actions, its “twisted methods,” and how dangerous its aggression is.
Referring to the recent peace demands presented by the Russian President, Duda said that they only reflect Russia’s intentions to continue hostilities in Ukraine and violate international law.
“Russia must not be allowed to win,” he emphasized.
The Russian President Vladimir Putin presented his “peace plan” on Friday, laying out his conditions for ending the war. Putin said that Russia will only end the war if Kyiv withdraws from the four occupied regions in eastern and southern Ukraine, and abandons its bid to join NATO.
He also demanded that Western countries lift their sanctions on Russia.
Kyiv swiftly rejected Putin’s proposal, labeling it a “complete sham” and one that defies common sense.
