Peace Summit in Switzerland: Day 2. Joint Communiqué on Peace Principles and Ukraine's Territorial Integrity Signed
On June 16th, the second day of the inaugural Peace Summit took place in Bürgenstock, Switzerland. Participants agreed on a joint communiqué and expressed full support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. This was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a press conference, as reported by Ukrinform.
"The communiqué adopted at the summit fully reflects our intentions and remains open for signing by any country that respects the UN Charter," noted Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to Zelenskyy, Ukraine's territorial integrity is a guarantee of peace.
"There will be no lasting peace without territorial integrity," added the Ukrainian President.
The communiqué, now available on the website of the Office of the President of Ukraine, states that the use of nuclear energy and installations must be safe, secure, reliably protected, and environmentally sound. Ukrainian nuclear power plants and installations, including the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, must operate safely and securely under Ukraine's full sovereign control and in accordance with IAEA principles and supervision.
It also emphasizes the critical importance of free, complete, and secure maritime trade and access to ports in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov for global food security.
The communiqué calls for the exchange of prisoners of war in an "all-for-all" format. Additionally, it states that all deported and unlawfully displaced Ukrainian children and other illegally detained Ukrainian civilians must be returned to Ukraine.
"Three challenges were thoroughly analysed at the first Peace Summit: nuclear safety, food security, and the release of prisoners and deportees, including thousands of children abducted by Russia. Now, after the Summit, we have proposed and agreed to continue our joint work at a more technical level – at the level of advisors and ministers through special meetings chaired or co-chaired by the countries," stated President Zelensky during the press conference.
On the second day of the Peace Summit, it was also announced that Canada will allocate $15 million for the return of Ukrainian children from Russia. According to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Ukrainian children in Russia are being forced to forget their Ukrainian identity.
"We all know the consequences of depriving children of their language, families, culture, and identity. It is a form of colonialism that the world cannot ignore," said the Canadian Prime Minister.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric also stressed the necessity of returning Ukrainian children.
"Children everywhere must be protected. We cannot allow any country to take or abduct children, as Russia is doing with Ukrainian children now. Civilians should not suffer. We need urgent actions to protect their rights, as they cannot wait," declared the Chilean leader.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre also pledged to join efforts to return Ukrainian children. Additionally, the Norwegian Prime Minister promised to help restore critical infrastructure in Kharkiv, which is regularly shelled by Russians. He stated that Norway will help build an energy network to supply electricity to Kharkiv hospitals.
The Gaze also reported that the global Peace Summit began on June 15th in Switzerland. Delegations from all continents participated in the Summit: Latin America, the Middle East and Asia, Africa, Europe, the Pacific region, Australia, and North America. Two-thirds of the participating countries are represented at the highest level.
According to the Swiss President, who is hosting the event, the summit will not reach a final agreement to end the war in Ukraine but aims to lay the foundation for a just and lasting peace.