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Security officials from 83 countries gathered in Davos on Sunday to discuss Ukraine’s demands for ending the war with Russia, in talks marked by rising non-western participation but limited progress towards peace.
Held on the eve of the World Economic Forum in the Swiss mountain resort, the meeting is the fourth called by Kyiv to promote its peace proposals, which include the full withdrawal of Russian troops from its territory. They took place as the war, which appears stuck in a grinding military deadlock, nears the second anniversary of President Vladimir Putin’s full invasion.
The active participation of national security representatives from India, Brazil and Saudi Arabia, key countries from the so-called Global South who maintain diplomatic relations with Russia, was hailed as a positive signal by western officials.
But the decision by China, Moscow’s most important ally, not to attend, undermined its importance, they added. Russia was not invited.
“The participation of the Brics alliance is very important because these countries have a relationship to Russia,” said Swiss foreign minister Ignazio Cassis, who is co-hosting the talks.
“China plays a significant role. We must find ways to work with China on this,” he added, in remarks to reporters partway through the talks.
The 83 delegations, including 18 from Asia and 12 from Africa, is significantly larger than the 65 that attended the last round of talks in Malta in October. That followed an initial meeting in Copenhagen and a follow-up in Jeddah.
One person briefed on the discussions said that they involved “open dialogue, with some of the contradictions being addressed head on”.
Officials said that some non-western states reiterated their position that Russia should be involved in the talks and that a settlement should address Moscow’s security concerns, such as Ukraine’s desire to join the US-led Nato military alliance.
In response, the western nations who have backed Ukraine with weapons and financial support contended that developing nations with ties to Russia should use their influence to make clear to Moscow that its invasion is in breach of the UN charter and undermines global security.
Cassis said that it was “illusory to think that Russia would respond positively” to any invitation to talks, adding that Moscow was “not ready to take any step or make any concession”.
Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said: “I am very happy that countries from the Global South are increasingly involved in our work. This demonstrates the understanding that this conflict in Europe is a challenge for all of humanity.”
Zelenskyy was not present at the talks but will speak at the World Economic Forum event in Davos on Tuesday, and is expected to hold bilateral meetings with many other leaders and representatives at the event.
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