Outcomes of the Ukraine Peace Summit

The Ukraine Peace Summit concluded on 16 June 2024 with the adoption of a Joint Communiqué signed by 80 of the 100 delegations. Based on the Ukraine Peace Formula, the final declaration represents a firm commitment to international law over raw power politics. In its introduction, the Communiqué implicitly recalls Article 2 (4) of the UN Charter, citing the principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty, political independence and peaceful settlement of disputes.

Independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty were recognised by absolutely all participants of the Summit. The majority of the world

Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at a press conference following the Summit

Participants also agreed on three major points. First, they pledged to ensure the safe use of nuclear energy in line with the IAEA Convention on Nuclear Safety. To this end, Ukraine must regain sovereignty over the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Signatories also condemned nuclear threats, calling on Russia to comply with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative has contributed to food crises in vulnerable regions of the world. Participants' second major pledge, therefore, was to guarantee global food security and commercial navigation in accordance with the 1996 Rome Declaration on World Food Security. Finally, the Summit agreed to facilitate the exchange of prisoners and the return of children illegally deported by Russia to Ukraine, in compliance with international humanitarian law.

Political significance

The final Joint Communiqué is not legally binding under international law. However, its political message is clear. The Ukraine Peace Summit brings together 92 states with different cultures, histories and alliances. The international community is thus keen to play a key role in peace negotiations.

The Summit is the starting point for discussions that could lead to a legally binding agreement between Ukraine and Russia

The Summit in Switzerland is therefore the starting point for discussions that could lead to a legally binding agreement between Ukraine and Russia in the future. The Communiqué embodies the recognition of Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty, rejecting Russia's pre-Summit peace proposal. Consequently, Ukraine's accession to NATO and the regaining of control over its lost regions are inherent conditions for lasting peace.

Limitations

Yet the Joint Communiqué has methodological and substantive weaknesses. Among the former, the final declaration does not present a roadmap to peace with concrete actions. Instead, it focuses only on general principles of international law. In this respect, the Communiqué resembles the form and method of non-binding UN resolutions rather than a peace plan.

Only 100 of the 160 invited delegations took part. China refused to attend and Russia was not welcome

In terms of substance, the absence of key actors is striking. Only 100 of the 160 delegations invited de facto participated. China refused to attend and Russia was not even invited. Moreover, 20 delegations did not sign the declaration: Armenia, Bahrain, Brazil (observer), Colombia, Holy See (observer), India, Indonesia, Iraq, Libya, Mexico, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. It is worth noting that traditionally like-minded partners – OAS, OSCE, UN (observer) and the Ecumenical Patriarchate (observer) – also did not sign the final declaration.

The first step on a long road to peace

The Ukraine Peace Summit was a successful first step in building peace between Ukraine and Russia. The Joint Communiqué signed by 80 delegations reflects the support of the international community for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It also reaffirmed the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act as building blocks for the future peace agreement. Meanwhile, the Summit was a perfect reflection of our increasingly multipolar world.

Among the expanded BRICS countries, only Argentina signed the Communiqué. Clearly, delegates at the Ukraine Peace Summit hold a different worldview from those at the G7. In particular, the non-participation of China and Russia meant that the Summit's ambition was inherently limited from the outset. It is difficult to agree on a genuine peace plan in the absence of the actors directly involved.

The more support Ukraine receives, the more likely a peace deal at the diplomatic table

As a result, the final declaration constitutes the starting point for what is likely to be a long diplomatic road, inextricably linked to continued military and financial support for Ukraine from EU and NATO members. The more support Ukraine receives, the more likely a peace deal at the diplomatic table will be. In this scenario, the 2024 US elections will determine the fate of the next round of diplomatic negotiations on Ukraine.

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