Russia Not Invited to Ukraine Conflict Talks in Switzerland, Kremlin: That's Absolutely Impossible

Ukrainian soldiers operate the M777 Howitzer artillery on the battlefield. (Wikimedia Commons/Mil.gov.ua)

JAKARTA - The Swiss government said on Thursday that "at this stage" Russia was not among the many countries invited to hold talks to bring peace to the conflict in Ukraine which they will hold next June.

The Swiss government, which invited more than 160 delegates, said it had always shown openness in inviting Russia. However, Moscow has repeatedly underscored that it is not interested in participating in initial talks, he added.

"Switzerland believes that Russia must be involved in this process," said the Swiss government in a statement, reported by Reuters, May 2.

"A peace process without Russia is impossible," he continued.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainian government is questioning the benefits of Russia's participation in the negotiations which are planned to be held on June 15-16 near the city of Lucerne, Switzerland.

"We know that it doesn't make sense for Russia to take part in negotiations, if you can't be sure they are acting in good faith," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said in an interview with Foreign Policy magazine published this week.

Foreign Minister Kuleba said putting pressure on Russia on the battlefield and bringing together countries "that share principles" would help make Moscow more willing to engage in dialogue.

Switzerland in January said it would host the summit at the request of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. It is based on President Zelensky's peace formula and other peace proposals based on the UN Charter and key principles of international law.

The invited delegations included members of the G7, G20, the BRICS group, the European Union, international organizations and two religious representatives, Switzerland said.

The talks aim to create a framework for lasting peace, and a roadmap for Russia's participation in the process, he said.

"The main aim of this summit is to inspire future peace processes," said the Swiss Government.

In Moscow, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said negotiations on resolving the Ukraine conflict without Russia's participation were not likely to achieve results.

"We don't understand what kind of historical milestone this peace conference is. What kind of serious conference with serious hopes, what kind of results can we talk about without Russia's participation? That is absolutely impossible," he said when asked about the conference that would be held by Switzerland, quoted from TASS.

"This is the kind of initiative that is not designed for results," Peskov added.

He pointed out that Russia's position in the peace negotiations was well known.

"Russia's position is consistent, very transparent, has been repeated many times and confirmed by our president," he explained.