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Security officials from 83 countries met in Davos on Sunday to discuss Ukraine's demands to end the war with Russia, in talks marked by increased participation from non-Western countries but limited progress towards peace.
The meeting, which was held on the eve of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss mountain resort, was the fourth called for by Kiev to promote its peace proposals, which include the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from its territory. It happened as the war, which appears stuck in a stalemate, approaches the second anniversary of President Vladimir Putin's full invasion.
The active participation of national security representatives from India, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, countries of the so-called Global South that maintain diplomatic relations with Russia, was hailed by Western officials as a positive sign.
Andriy Ermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's chief of staff, told reporters after the meeting that “open and very constructive talks” had taken place between “countries that want to be on the side….” . . About peace.”
They added that the decision of China, Moscow's most important ally, not to attend, undermined its importance. Russia itself was not invited.
“The participation of the BRICS alliance is very important because these countries have a relationship with Russia,” said Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, who is co-hosting the talks.
“China plays an important role. We must find ways to work with China on this matter,” he told reporters during the talks.
Zelensky was not present at the talks but will speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Tuesday, and is expected to hold bilateral meetings with other leaders afterward.
When asked if Zelensky would meet Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Yermak said: “Let's see.”
The 83 delegations, including 18 from Asia and 12 from Africa, are much larger than the 65 delegations that attended the last round of talks in Malta in October. This came after an initial meeting in Copenhagen and a follow-up in Jeddah.
One person familiar with the discussions said they included “open dialogue, with some contradictions addressed directly.”
Some non-Western countries reiterated their position that Russia should participate and that the settlement should address Moscow's security concerns, such as Ukraine's desire to join the NATO military alliance, officials said.
In response, Western countries that have supported Ukraine with weapons and financial support emphasized that developing countries with relations with Russia should use their influence to make clear to Moscow that its invasion violates the UN Charter and undermines global security.
“Of course, we have different ideas about how to do this [achieve peace]Yermack said of the different situations. “Some people think it's necessary to get to the table right away [with Russia]”.
He added that all delegations are “very united on the basic principles on which international law and the statute of the United Nations are based.”
Cassis said it was “an illusion to believe that Russia will respond positively” to any call for talks, adding that Moscow “is not prepared to take any step or make any concession.”
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