U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, French President Emmanuel Macron, and the leaders of Germany, Italy, Britain, Canada, and Japan are among those attending the June 15-16 meeting at the Swiss mountaintop resort of Buergenstock.
India, which has helped Moscow withstand economic sanctions, is expected to send a delegation. Turkey and Hungary, which also maintain cordial ties with Russia, will be represented by their foreign ministers.
Despite intense lobbying by Ukraine and Switzerland, some key players, notably China, will not attend. China is a significant consumer of Russian oil and supplies goods that support Moscow’s manufacturing base.
“This meeting is already a result,” Zelenskyy said in Berlin on Tuesday, acknowledging the challenge of maintaining international support as the war, now well into its third year, continues.
Switzerland announced that 92 countries and eight organizations will attend. Organizers are striving to draft a joint statement that condemns Russia’s actions while securing broad participation, diplomats say.
A draft of the summit declaration refers to Russia’s war against Ukraine and emphasizes commitment to the U.N. charter and respect for international law. Participants can opt out of the declaration until the end of Friday, according to sources.
The Swiss foreign ministry declined to comment.
Switzerland hopes the summit will pave the way for a “future peace process” involving Russia and identify a country to lead the next phase. Saudi Arabia is a leading candidate, with other Middle Eastern states also considered.
Zelenskyy visited Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to discuss the summit with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister will attend, Switzerland said.
The idea of a summit emerged after Zelenskyy presented a 10-point peace plan in late 2022.
Ulrich Schmid, a political scientist and Eastern Europe expert at the University of St. Gallen, described the summit as “a mixed bag” due to the support from some nations and China’s absence.
“Then the question arises: is peace actually doable?” Schmid said. “As long as (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is in power... it will be difficult.”
Putin stated on Friday that Russia would cease fire and enter peace talks if Ukraine dropped its NATO ambitions and withdrew its forces from four regions claimed by Moscow. Kyiv insists its territorial integrity is non-negotiable.
Russia, which sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on February 24, 2022, has called the summit, from which it is excluded, “futile.”
Moscow portrays its “special military operation” in Ukraine as part of a broader struggle with the West, which it claims seeks to subjugate Russia. Kyiv and the West dismiss this as propaganda, accusing Russia of waging an illegal war of conquest.
Given these entrenched differences, the summit will focus on elements of Zelenskyy’s plan that are broadly acceptable, such as guaranteeing food security, nuclear safety, freedom of navigation, prisoner exchanges, and the return of children, officials said.
Meanwhile, China and Brazil are advocating a separate peace plan for Ukraine that involves both warring parties. Moscow has expressed support for Beijing’s efforts to end the conflict.
Kyiv has voiced frustration at China’s decision to skip the Swiss summit, with Zelenskyy accusing Beijing of helping Russia disrupt it—a rare public criticism of a global superpower with significant influence over Moscow.
The summit comes at a challenging time for Ukraine, with Russian troops advancing in the east and controlling around 18% of Ukrainian territory. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, widespread destruction, and the displacement of millions.
