Russia has no will for a just peace — MP on the Summit

Refusal of Russia to participate in the second Peace Summit indicates its lack of desire to achieve a just peace. However, this does not mean that Ukraine will be unable to compel the aggressor country to the negotiating table.

This opinion was expressed by Oleksandr Merezhko, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation, on Hromadske Radio.

Merezhko believes that the second Peace Summit will see participation from more countries than the first. The Summit is scheduled for November. Efforts are already being made to involve those nations that were absent from the last event but are expected to attend in November.

«I think more countries will participate this time. Although about 100 countries and international organizations were present at the inaugural summit, which is an impressive and positive result in itself. Let me remind you, there are 193 countries in the UN. It was no easy task for our diplomats to gather so many nations for such a summit», — Merezhko stated.

At the same time, the head of the parliamentary committee pointed out that Russia will not take part in the second Peace Summit. This was confirmed by the Foreign Ministry of the aggressor state.

According to Merezhko, this demonstrates that Russia and President Putin have no genuine will to achieve a just peace. This refusal also negatively affects Russia’s standing in the eyes of the Global South.

«This does not mean, however, that Russia cannot be forced to come to the negotiating table and engage in serious talks. In fact, as I understand it, this is part of the Ukrainian president’s victory plan», — Merezhko explained.

Earlier, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that «the whole world,» desires for the Russian delegation to join the second Peace Summit. He noted that Ukraine is among those countries. At that time, he reminded that Ukraine is working on a plan that should serve as the foundation for the upcoming summit. He also noted that Russia will be invited to the Summit.

However, Andriy Yermak clarified that inviting a Russian representative to the second Peace Summit should interpreted carefully. It is not the start of negotiations between Ukraine and the aggressor state.