Leaders from Western countries as well as those from the Global South, including India, have been invited. Even though Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown contempt for the planned round of peace negotiations, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, is set to attend the conference.
Moscow would not tolerate any imposed plans that disregard its interests, he has threatened. “They think there is nothing for us to do there, but at the same time they say it’s impossible to decide anything without us,” Putin responded, claiming that Russia has not even been invited. Similarly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has written off the meeting as a Western ploy to garner further backing for Kyiv across the globe.
Source: Indian Defence News
It is clear that without Russia’s involvement and approval, no workable peace plan can be developed. Zelenskyy’s plan, which calls on Moscow to withdraw its forces, compensate Ukraine, and appear before an international tribunal for its alleged crimes, has already been rejected by Putin.
The ruse by the US-led West to take the lead in the Swiss negotiations may backfire and lengthen the conflict, which is already in its third year and has disrupted supply chains worldwide.Russia must be persuaded to engage in negotiations by the host nation, which has said that “peace is at the heart of the Swiss spirit.”
Source: Firstpost
It is also essential to include a powerful actor such as China. Because of its strong relations with both warring parties, India is viewed as a potential mediator. However, it is up to India to take the initiative and keep the June summit from failing miserably and becoming just another Western power play.
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