The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hope today that “a just peace will be reached as soon as possible” at the opening of the first Ukraine peace summit being held in Switzerland, but without Russia and China.

“Everything agreed (at this summit) will be part of the process of restoring peace that we all need,” Zelensky said, adding: “We will see history being made during this summit.”

Around 90 countries are participating but this summit has limited ambitions as Russia and China are absent. “Together, we are taking the first step towards a just peace,” the Ukrainian president said, adding that “the world is stronger” than Vladimir Putin.

yesterday, friday, the Russian president effectively demanded surrender of Ukraine before any peace talks.

“What we need is not a dictated peace, but a just peace that takes into account the integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine”, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said today on the ARD television network, echoing the condemning announcements of the United States and NATO.

For his part, Zelensky refused the “ultimatum” a la Hitler vth Russian president, who launched an invasion of the neighboring country in February 2022.

“We hope to inspire a process for a just and sustainable peace,” said Swiss President Viola Amherd, next to her Ukrainian counterpart.

“As an international community, we can prepare the ground for direct meetings between the warring parties, he said, adding: “If we want to inspire a peace process, Russia must also be involved at some point. This is clear to everyone.”

There are considerations for holding one second summit, in which Kiev hopes a Russian delegation will participate, Zelensky’s chief of staff Andrii Yermak said on Tuesday.

The meeting, taking place in the luxury resort of Burgenstock above the Lake of the Four Cantons, will begin with a plenary session this afternoon, followed by dinner.

Tomorrow, Sunday, three topics will be approached in working groups: nuclear safety, freedom of navigation and food security, and humanitarian aspects, mainly the fate of Ukrainians who were forcibly transferred to Russia.

Zelensky – Bartholomew meeting in a warm climate

It was held in a warm climate on Saturday, in the framework of the Conference for Peace in Ukraine, the meeting of the president of Ukraine with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

“I met with His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. We thank you for the humanitarian support of Ukraine, especially in the issue of the return of Ukrainian children and the exchange of prisoners,” the Ukrainian president emphasized in his statement.

Check out this Instagram post.

The post was shared by Volodymyr Zelenskyy (@zelenskyy_official)

“Thank you for your prayers for peace and aid for Ukrainians who suffered as a result of Russian aggression. This is very important for us” notes Volodymyr Zelensky.

“We also appreciate the efforts of His Holiness for the promotion of the development and strengthening of Orthodoxy in Ukraine and the dialogue with the clergy of the countries of the world and the partner countries on this matter” he emphasizes.