Summit on Peace in Ukraine

During President Zelenskyy's visit to Bern on 15 January 2024, Switzerland and Ukraine discussed the next steps towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine. At Ukraine's request, Switzerland agreed to host a summit. Switzerland regularly hosts negotiations or acts as a mediator for talks and meetings.

By organising this summit, Switzerland is making another important contribution to support a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and greater security and stability in Europe and the world. Switzerland is actively involved in the search for solutions and – as with URC2022 – is helping to shape a sustainable future for Ukraine.

Switzerland has invited over 160 delegations at head of state and government level to take part in the first Summit on Peace in Ukraine on June 15 and 16, 2024 on the Bürgenstock. These include members of the G7, the G20, the BRICS, numerous other countries from all continents as well as the EU, three international organizations (UN, OSCE and Council of Europe) and two religious representatives (Vatican and Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople).

The selection of invited countries is intended to ensure the broadest possible participation of high-ranking representatives from numerous nations. The list of participating states will be published shortly before the start of the conference.

Russia has not been invited at this stage. Switzerland has always shown openness to extending an invitation to Russia for this Summit. However, Russia has said repeatedly and also publicly that it has no interest in participating in this first Summit. The Summit in Switzerland is intended to initiate a peace process. Switzerland is convinced that Russia must be involved in this process. A peace process without Russia is unthinkable.

The aim of the Summit on Peace in Ukraine is to inspire a future peace process and to develop practical elements as well as steps towards such a process. All states present at the summit should contribute their ideas and visions for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

By organising this summit, Switzerland is helping to support discussions aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Following the URC 2022 in Lugano and the National Security Advisors Meeting in Davos at the beginning of the year, Switzerland is now organising another important summit.

The costs of organising the summit depend on the number of delegations taking part and the level of representation of the countries. The specific services that Switzerland will provide as host for the summit will therefore depend on various factors. A large part of the costs will be spent on security.

The summit programme is currently being drawn up. The focus will lie on topics of global interest and which affect a large number of states, such as (1) nuclear safety, (2) freedom of navigation and food safety and (3) humanitarian aspects. Switzerland has met with numerous representatives from various states, informed them about the summit and gathered their expectations.

All states present at the summit should be able to contribute their ideas and visions for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Switzerland is permanently neutral. The basis of Swiss neutrality is the law of neutrality, which is based on The Hague Conventions of 1907. The law of neutrality applies to the military sphere. However, being neutral does not mean being indifferent. Switzerland strongly condemns Russia's aggression against Ukraine. Outside the military sphere, the law of neutrality is not an obstacle to solidarity and support for Ukraine and its people. After more than two years of war, at least an attempt must now be made to start a process for peace in Ukraine. Switzerland is convinced that Russia must be involved in this process. A peace process without Russia is unthinkable. By organising this first summit, Switzerland is making a contribution to supporting discussions for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The alternative would be to do nothing which is not an option for Switzerland.

The definitive list of participants will not be finalised until very shortly before the summit. If you have any questions about the Ukrainian delegation, please contact their representatives.

If you have questions about any head of delegation, please contact its respective representative.

Switzerland's involvement in the search for a peaceful solution for Ukraine complements the measures that the Confederation has implemented to date to support the people affected by the war in Ukraine and to shape Ukraine's future. For example, the political reconstruction process was launched on a broad basis with Ukraine in Lugano in July 2022. The Confederation is also committed to the prosecution of crimes under international law, such as war crimes or the crime of aggression, as well as the search for and identification of missing persons.

Since the beginning of the conflict, the Confederation has provided a total of around CHF 3 billion in support to the population in Switzerland or abroad affected by the war in Ukraine. As part of its international cooperation, the Swiss Confederation provides humanitarian aid and has adjusted existing projects in development cooperation to the new context. Since the outbreak of the war, it has provided around CHF 425 million to support the population affected by the war in Ukraine abroad.

In 2024, the budget for humanitarian aid and development cooperation in Ukraine and the region totals CHF 150 million. The Federal Council has also reserved funds totalling around CHF 1.5 billion for Ukraine and the region as part of the International Cooperation Strategy (IC) 2025-2028. Switzerland is thus making a substantial contribution to the support and to the reconstruction of Ukraine.

On 29 September 2023, the Federal Council approved CHF 100 million for humanitarian demining for the years 2024-2027. The funding is split equally between the FDFA and the DDPS. Humanitarian demining is a key precondition for the country's recovery.

Switzerland will co-organise a series of humanitarian demining events this year (Road to Lausanne) culminating in the Ukraine Mine Action Conference UMAC2024 on 17-18 October in Lausanne.