Putin must withdraw troops to negotiate – Scholz
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin must withdraw his troops from the territory of Ukraine if he wants to participate in the peace summit in Switzerland, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said during a briefing in Berlin on June 11.
Scholz said that the summit would discuss “the principles of a just and lasting peace.”
"This is not yet a negotiation to end the war," he added.
"To do that, Putin will have to show that he is ready to end his brutal campaign and withdraw his troops. However, it may be possible to show a way to start a process in which Russia will one day sit at the table."
Read also:
107 countries to participate in Ukrainian World Peace Summit — Presidential Office
Ukrainian President calls for more diplomacy at Global Peace Summit
Scholz said that only Ukraine alone decides when the right time for negotiations comes.
“But as long as Putin ruthlessly pursues his goals in this war, our message will be that we will not weaken our support for Ukraine, we continue to stand firmly on the side of Ukrainians,” he said.
June 2024 Peace Summit in Switzerland
Leaders from around the world will meet at the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland from June 15-16, though Russia will not attend.
Ukraine hasn’t ruled out Russian participation in future Global Peace Summits but did not extend an invitation to the inaugural event, Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak said.
The peace process is “unthinkable” without Russia, the Swiss Foreign Ministry stated.
Read also: 90 countries and organizations confirm their participation in Global Peace Summit
Ukrainian intelligence has reliable information that Russia wants to disrupt the peace summit, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on April 24.
China is also trying to disrupt the Global Peace Summit, working to prevent other countries from participating, he added.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, French President Emmanuel Macron, and other international leaders are expected to attend the summit.
Read also: Global Peace Summit draft statement silent on Russian troop withdrawal from Ukraine
The White House will attend the Global Peace Summit, though U.S. President Joe Biden’s participation has yet to be confirmed. Zelenskyy said he would personally like to see Biden at the summit, as his absence would only encourage Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
Reuters reported on May 31 that China had refused to participate in the peace summit in Switzerland.
Zelenskyy said on June 2 that the United States has confirmed its participation in the High-Level Peace Summit, but it is not yet known whether Joe Biden will attend.
We’re bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!
Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
