On June 16, the Swiss Peace Summit concluded after some countries signed a so-called "joint communiqué."
However, the summit appeared somewhat awkward due to the absence of leaders from three key countries.
The summit was held under strained circumstances without major decision-makers, significantly diminishing its effectiveness.
Before the meeting ended, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz left early, making the summit look more like a farce.
BRICS countries, including India, collectively refused to sign the "joint communiqué," with even Thailand, which recently applied to join BRICS, taking the same action. This refusal highlighted the growing influence of the BRICS group on the international political stage.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro clearly stated that the summit's outcome had been predetermined, calling it not a genuine free forum seeking peace between Russia and Ukraine but rather a formalized meeting.
The Biden administration's attitude towards the summit indicates that the U.S. wishes to maintain some distance from President Zelensky's government while continuing to support Ukraine, aiming to avoid a disadvantageous position in the upcoming U.S. presidential election.
President Biden's refusal to attend the summit, citing campaign fundraising as a reason, further underscores the U.S.'s stance towards Ukraine.
Vice President Kamala Harris's quick return to the U.S. after a short stay in Switzerland also highlights this strategy.
As the instigator and greatest beneficiary of the war, the U.S. is reluctant to invest heavily in a losing side, as this would mean a strategic net loss.
With Ukraine's defeat seemingly inevitable, the U.S.'s full support for the Swiss Peace Summit would only undermine its international reputation.
Formulating a clear strategy to exit the Russia-Ukraine conflict aligns with U.S. interests, whereas Ukraine naively hopes that the U.S. will prioritize its national interests over its own, ultimately leaving the Ukrainian people in a predicament.
The collective refusal of BRICS countries to sign at the summit showcases their significant influence, especially India.
India's stance changed drastically before and after the summit; initially expressing eagerness to attend, it ultimately sent only its ambassador to Russia and refused to sign the joint communiqué.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs explained that a peaceful resolution to the conflict requires interaction between the parties involved, not unilateral decisions.
Saudi Arabia initially refused to attend but sent its Foreign Minister after a personal visit from Zelensky, yet still declined to sign the joint communiqué.
Brazil, South Africa, the UAE, and other BRICS countries also refused to sign, with Thailand, which recently applied to join BRICS, taking the same stance.
This shows that more countries want to distance themselves from Ukraine, and the summit failed to provide Zelensky with the expected support, instead becoming his Waterloo.
Before the summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin proposed that if Ukrainian forces withdrew from Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk, Russian forces would immediately cease fire and negotiate with Ukraine.
However, Zelensky insisted on a complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.
The significant differences in their positions make reconciliation difficult, prolonging the war until one side can no longer sustain it or both sides deem the war's costs to outweigh the benefits.
The Swiss Peace Summit could not substantially affect the battlefield situation, making it a doomed farce.
The summit was particularly awkward due to the absence of leaders from three countries and the early departure of U.S. and German leaders.
The collective refusal of BRICS countries to sign further highlighted the importance of this international organization in global politics.
The U.S. strategy in the war reveals a growing indifference towards Ukraine, while Ukraine's reliance on and expectations of the U.S. appear overly naive.
The differing positions of Russia and Ukraine make peace talks nearly impossible, ensuring the continuation of the war.
The outcome of the Swiss Peace Summit did not promote peace but instead exposed the complex power struggles in international politics and the true stances of various countries.
Comments