Russia refuses to participate in the Conference on Ukraine, President Zelensky wants a 10-point "Peace Formula"

On March 13, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced that Russia would not attend the conference on Ukraine in Switzerland even if invited.

Tổng thống Thổ Nhĩ Kỳ Recep Tayyip Erdogan (phải) và người đồng cấp Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky trong cuộc họp báo chung tại Istanbul ngày 8/3. Ông Erdogan tuyên bố Thổ Nhĩ Kỳ sẵn sàng tổ chức các cuộc đàm phán hòa bình với sự tham gia của Ukraine và LB Ng

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (right) and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky at a joint press conference in Istanbul on March 9. (Source: Getty)

The reason Ms. Zakharova gave was that Russia had no intention of discussing the “Zelensky formula”, which includes the demand for Russia to withdraw troops, return the 1991 border, hold Russia responsible and other demands.

A Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed that any negotiations on Ukraine must take place after President Volodymyr Zelensky's decree banning negotiations with Russia is revoked.

Ms. Zakharova once again affirmed that Russia is ready for peace negotiations, but according to her, Switzerland is no longer a neutral country to become the venue for negotiations.

Previously, on February 23, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York (USA), Swiss Foreign Minister Cassis stated: "At Ukraine's request, we intend to organize a summit on peace for Ukraine. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to invite all countries to cooperate towards that common goal."

On March 9, during a joint meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul, President Zelensky rejected the idea of holding a peace conference with Russia's participation.

“We do not see the need for Russian representation at such a summit,” Mr Zelensky said. The Ukrainian leader reiterated his old argument that a peace plan should be prepared by other countries without Russia’s participation.

President Zelensky has repeatedly stated that Kiev will only negotiate when Moscow accepts Ukraine's demands on the basis of the 10-point "peace formula" he outlined at the end of 2022.

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