The organization “high-level peace conference” the president of Ukraine asked Switzerland on Monday Volodymyr Zelensky.

During his visit to Bern, the Ukrainian president asked Switzerland to organize a “high-level peace conference” amid the ongoing war with Russia.

“I met with the Presidents of the Federal Assembly, as well as leaders of parties and factions,” Zelensky said earlier in a post on the X platform.

“We had an in-depth discussion about supporting and promoting the Ukraine Peace Formula, developments on the front lines and the importance of partners’ efforts to defend Ukraine.”

“I am grateful to Switzerland for its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as for humanitarian assistance.”

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, although he said he wants China to participate in this global peace summit to end the war in his country, stressed that Russia is not welcome. “In terms of countries that want to participate, we are open to all countries in the world that respect our national sovereignty and territorial integrity. So you can conclude who will be invited,” he said in response to a journalist’s question about Russia’s possible participation in the summit.

“We hope that this meeting will give the necessary energy to what we are discussing. And we hope that the end of the war will be just and justice will be restored. Switzerland is our partner in this,” he added. “We would like the South to be present … it is important for us to show that the whole world stands against Russia’s aggression and the whole world is in favor of a just peace.”

In the announcement issued after the press conference, the Swiss presidency states that it is willing “to organize, at the request of the Ukrainian president”, a peace meeting with the participation of high-ranking officials. Swiss President Viola Amherd assured that Kiev and Bern will start preparing for the meeting from tomorrow Tuesday, but neither side specified when and where it could be held.

The peace plan promoted by Zelenskiy was presented for the first time at the G20 summit in November. It provides for the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the withdrawal of Russian forces and an end to hostilities, as well as the release of all prisoners.

Since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, Switzerland has steadfastly adhered to its military neutrality and has refused to send arms to Kiev or allow other countries to re-export Swiss-made weapons to Ukraine. But it is implementing international sanctions imposed on Russia and Zelensky today welcomed the humanitarian aid the Swiss are providing to his country, particularly in demining. Two summits on demining Ukraine are to be held this year, one in the spring and a second in the fall, the Ukrainian president told reporters.

Zelensky also said he hoped the “frozen” Russian funds would be used to rebuild his country. Freezing Russian assets abroad cannot be “just a punishment,” he said, stressing that “the one who started the war will have to pay the biggest price.”