The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, pledged to relay updates about the peace summit scheduled in Switzerland to the Russian Federation, a commitment he announced during a joint press conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro. The exchange took place amid discussions about the ongoing search for a path toward an end to the conflict and a durable settlement, with coverage reported by RIA News.
In the early discussions, the leadership highlighted that three elements at the top of the peace formula center on humanitarian space, food security, and nuclear safeguards. Zelensky voiced confidence that progress on these three fronts in negotiations with Russia could unlock broader movement on the remaining points, signaling a potential domino effect toward broader agreement.
Prior to this, Zelensky described the Switzerland summit as a historic chance to advance peace in Ukraine, underscoring the event as a critical moment on the road to a resolution. Officials emphasized that it could serve as a landmark opportunity to translate diplomatic talks into tangible gains on the ground for Ukraine and its people.
The Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a briefing at the start of May outlining that the first peace conference focused on Ukraine was planned for June 15-16. The venue was identified as the Bürgenstock resort, and officials indicated that the summit would bring together 160 delegations from 120 countries, including members of the G7 and the G20. The invitation list signaled broad international attention and a mandate to pursue concrete commitments across a spectrum of stakeholders and international organizations, with the aim of advancing a shared framework for peace. The reporting and planning for this conference reflect ongoing international efforts to coordinate support and monitor progress in Ukraine’s pursuit of a sustainable settlement.
In November 2022, Zelensky introduced the peace formula, a ten-point framework that outlined Ukrainian terms for ending the war and ensuring security. The core demands ranged from the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory and the release of all prisoners and deported citizens to adherence to the UN Charter and measures to protect against ecocide, among other priorities. The articulation of these points established a concrete set of expectations to guide negotiations and signal the seriousness of Ukraine’s diplomatic posture as it sought to secure international support and commitments.
Earlier communications from Zelensky indicated that some world leaders might not attend the Switzerland summit, which added a layer of complexity to the diplomatic effort. Nevertheless, the event was framed as a substantive platform for dialogue, with organizers and participants preparing for structured negotiation rounds and the potential for formal statements that could influence subsequent steps in the peace process. The overall tone stressed the importance of broad international engagement to keep pressure for a peaceful resolution while ensuring accountability for any agreements reached.