Switzerland will host the Ukraine Peace Conference in June

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GENEVA – The Swiss government announced Wednesday that it would hold a high-level international conference in June to help chart a path to peace in Ukraine after more than two years of war, and expressed hope that Russia could one day join the peace process.

The lakeside resort of Burgenstock near Lucerne is expected to host a June 15-16 gathering of senior officials from dozens of countries, as planned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi and Swiss Foreign Minister Ignatius Cassis in recent months.

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The chief diplomat of Switzerland said that more than 100 countries will be invited to the meeting.

“After Ukraine, the first country we talked to was, of course, Russia, because without Russia the peace process is impossible, even if it wasn't at the first meeting,” Cassis told reporters in the Swiss capital of Bern.

Swiss newspaper Neue Zurcher Zeitung reported that President Joe Biden may attend. He is expected to be in Italy for a meeting of G7 leaders during this time, but the White House has not confirmed his attendance.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned last week that future talks to end the conflict in Ukraine could only succeed if Moscow's interests were taken into account, dismissing the planned round of peace talks as a ploy by the West to drum up wider international support for Kyiv.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that there will be no peace in Ukraine until Russia's goals are met.

Swiss President Viola Amherd said: “We will not sign a peace agreement at this conference.” He called the meeting a “first step” towards a lasting peace in Ukraine, which could lead to a second meeting.

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“It should be clear from the beginning that Russia has to be there sooner or later,” said Foreign Minister Cassis. “It doesn't have to be the first day anymore. We can also imagine that on the first day people will agree on how best to invite Russia.”

“We have to agree: this is a tough job ahead of us,” he added.

The Swiss government said early talks on hosting the conference included representatives from the European Union and countries from the so-called global south, including Brazil, China, Ethiopia, India, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

Cassis acknowledged “uncertainties” ahead of the conference, but cited the Swiss tradition of shuttle diplomacy between rival parties and Switzerland's sense of “responsibility” to contribute to the peace process in Ukraine.

U.S. involvement is “significant,” he said, and the United States confirmed its involvement in Switzerland, but did not specify at what level.

Zelensky proposed a 10-point peace formula that would, among other things, demand the withdrawal of all Russian forces from Ukraine and accountability for war crimes as the two sides continue to fight along a nearly 1,500-kilometer (930-mile) front. Moscow immediately rejected such ideas.

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Much of the diplomatic uncertainty has been over whether China, Russia's main ally, will be able to attend – and Cassis asked for Beijing's support during a visit to China last month. Beijing presented its 12-point proposal to end the war in Ukraine more than a year ago.

China's Foreign Ministry said Beijing supports the conference, which has been approved by both Russia and Ukraine.

Burgenstock, perched above Lake Lucerne, has hosted diplomatic meetings in the past, including talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriots in 2004 – which did not pave the way for reconciliation on their Mediterranean island.

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