Global Summit on Ukraine Peace Concludes with Mixed Results; Canada Pledges Support as Key Nations Abstain

An international summit aimed at creating a pathway to peace in Ukraine concluded in Switzerland with a majority of attending nations, including Canada, signing a final communiqué that reaffirmed support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. While hailed by Kyiv and its Western allies as a diplomatic success, the event also exposed significant global divisions, as several influential countries from the Global South abstained from the final declaration and Russia's key ally, China, declined to attend.

The two-day conference, held at the Bürgenstock resort, brought together delegations from over 90 countries and international organizations. The primary goal was to build broad international consensus around a framework for a future peace process based on international law and the UN Charter. The resulting communiqué focused on three key areas: ensuring nuclear safety, particularly at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia power plant; facilitating food security through unimpeded access to Black Sea ports; and addressing the humanitarian crisis, including the return of prisoners of war and all deported Ukrainian children.

Canada was a prominent participant, with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attending and co-chairing a working group on the human dimension of the conflict. This group focused specifically on the release of prisoners, the return of unlawfully displaced civilians, and the repatriation of thousands of children taken from occupied territories to Russia. Ahead of the summit, the Canadian government announced a $52.4 million package of support for Ukraine, which includes funding for the safe return of displaced children, improving cybersecurity, and supporting Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

"Canada's support for the people of Ukraine is steadfast," Trudeau stated during the summit. "We will continue to work with our international partners to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine."

A Divided Consensus

While more than 80 countries and organizations signed the final document, the list of those who did not was notable and underscored the diplomatic challenge. Major emerging economies including Brazil, India, South Africa, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates were among the attendees that chose not to endorse the communiqué.

The primary reason cited by these nations was the absence of Russia from the negotiations. They argued that any meaningful peace process must involve both warring parties. Brazil's observer status and its joint peace proposal with China, which calls for a conference recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, highlighted this alternative diplomatic track. India stated it believes that only solutions acceptable to both sides can achieve a lasting peace. This hesitation from key Global South players reveals a reluctance to align fully with the Western-led coalition against Russia, reflecting complex economic and historical ties.

The absence of China, which has provided crucial economic support to Moscow, was particularly significant. Beijing stated it would only attend a peace conference that included both Russia and Ukraine. This stance complicates efforts to isolate Russia diplomatically. The G7, including Canada, has recently intensified its pressure on Beijing, with a stern warning to China over its support for Russia's war machine, urging it to cease transferring dual-use materials that are aiding the Russian defence industry. The summit's outcome further illustrates the geopolitical fault lines between the G7 and the China-Russia axis.

Implications for Canada and Future Diplomacy

For Canada, the summit's results are twofold. On one hand, its active participation reinforces its commitment to Ukraine and the principles of international law. By co-chairing a key working group, Canada positioned itself as a leader on the critical humanitarian files of the conflict. This aligns with its long-standing foreign policy emphasis on human rights and multilateralism.

On the other hand, the lukewarm reception from major non-Western powers is a sobering reminder of the shifting global landscape. It demonstrates the limits of a Western-centric approach and the growing influence of middle powers who are charting their own course. This complex environment presents challenges for Canadian diplomacy, which must engage with these countries to build broader coalitions. The current geopolitical climate is forcing nations like Canada to navigate increasingly complex security arrangements, as seen in the Indo-Pacific where the AUKUS security pact is considering expansion, raising questions about Canada's role in global security architecture.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the summit a "great success" and the "first step towards peace." Organizers confirmed that follow-up meetings are being planned, with Saudi Arabia floated as a potential host for a future summit that could potentially include Russia. The path forward remains uncertain, but the Swiss summit succeeded in framing the core tenets of a potential peace deal from Ukraine's perspective and mobilizing a significant, if not universal, coalition of support.