Following the Swiss Summit on Ukraine, Russia reports no public request for a second conference
After the initial summit in Switzerland, Russian officials stated that no request had been received regarding a second Ukraine conference. This information was shared by Sergei Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, during a press briefing following discussions with Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleynik. Lavrov noted that he had only heard public declarations about plans for a second gathering in a Swiss location known as Bürgenstock and emphasized that no formal request had appeared in the public domain.
The Swiss venue for the talks on Ukraine, held in Bürgenstock on June 15 and 16, produced a joint declaration. Of the 91 participants, 76 supported the document. Lavrov expressed confidence that the majority of the global community did not intend to coerce Russia with ultimatums at the conference, signaling a reluctance among many states to back aggressive positions against Moscow.
On June 16, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis indicated that officials from Switzerland would continue discussions with Russia after the Ukraine summit. It was also reported that more than half of the participants considered Russia’s presence necessary for ongoing talks. These remarks underscored a broad international interest in maintaining diplomatic channels, even as views on the appropriate approach to Ukraine varied among attendees.
Earlier reports had discussed potential locations and formats for a second summit aimed at resolving the conflict. While some countries signaled openness to further engagement, others urged careful consideration of how any subsequent meeting could influence the broader peace process. The dialogue remained marked by cautious optimism mixed with persistent disagreements over security guarantees, humanitarian concerns, and territorial issues.
Observers noted that the Swiss conference succeeded in articulating a shared framework for dialogue, even as significant questions about enforcement, timelines, and participants persisted. The event highlighted the international community’s desire to keep negotiations alive while allowing room for differences in strategy and priorities among major powers and regional actors. The outcomes suggested that future discussions would continue to revolve around coercive measures, concessions, and the role of international institutions in monitoring any agreed terms. [Source: RIA News]