Volodymyr Zelensky warns Russia ‘does not want peace’ after Putin told Kyiv he would stop fighting if Ukraine binned its NATO ambitions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky today accused Russia of not wanting peace after Vladimir Putin said he would only accept a ceasefire if Ukraine agreed to halt its NATO ascension plans.

Zelensky made the accusation at the end of a major diplomatic summit in Switzerland attended by more than 90 countries, making it the largest gathering in support of Ukraine since the invasion began.

He told conference attendees, including Britain’s Rishi Sunak, Germany’s Olaf Scholz and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni: ‘Russia does not want peace, that is a fact. Russia and their leadership are not ready for a just peace, that is a fact.”

At the conference, the vast majority of the 90 participating countries signed a communiqué in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty, and also called on Putin to return the children stolen during the invasion.

But several countries that were present and have close business and security ties with Russia, such as India, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, did not sign the document.

The countries said they “affirm our commitment to… the principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all states, including Ukraine, within their internationally recognized borders.”

Zelensky made the accusation at the end of a major diplomatic summit in Switzerland, in which more than ninety countries participated.

At the conference, the vast majority of the 90 participating countries signed a communiqué in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty

Russia currently controls just under a fifth of Ukraine, including the Crimean Peninsula that it annexed in 2014.

The summit called on Ukraine to gain “full sovereign control” of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest nuclear power plant currently controlled by Russian forces.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly warned of the risk of a major nuclear disaster at the facility, which has been under the control of Russian forces since the start of the war.

“Ukrainian nuclear power plants and facilities, including the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant, must operate safely and securely under the full sovereign control of Ukraine,” the final communiqué said.

The countries also expressed concern about the possibility that the conflict could go nuclear, and condemned the possibility that nuclear weapons would be used.

“Any threat or use of nuclear weapons in the context of the ongoing war against Ukraine is inadmissible,” the document said.

Soldiers of the 24th Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, named after King Danylo, fire a 120mm mortar at Russian troops

The countries also expressed concern about the possibility that the conflict could go nuclear

Ukrainian soldiers of the 148th Separate Artillery Brigade of the Ukrainian Air Assault Forces fire a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket system at Russian troops

It also called for the full exchange of captured soldiers and for the return of all Ukrainian children deported to Russia and Russian-controlled territory.

Kiev has accused Moscow of illegally abducting nearly 20,000 children since the start of the conflict. The Kremlin says it moved them for their own protection.

“All prisoners of war should be released through full exchange,” the document said.

“All deported and unlawfully displaced Ukrainian children, and all other Ukrainian citizens unlawfully detained, must be returned to Ukraine,” it added.

On issues related to food and agricultural trade, the communiqué said: “Food security should not be weaponized in any way. Ukrainian agricultural products should be supplied safely and freely to interested third countries.”

Ukraine is one of the world’s largest agricultural producers and exporters, but the Russian invasion has complicated exports through the Black Sea, which has become a battle zone.

Ukrainian National Guard soldiers from the Khartia Brigade fly a ‘vampire drone’ as they bomb Russian positions

Ukrainian National Guard soldiers from the Khartia Brigade run to reload a D-20 cannon while firing at Russian positions

Ukrainian National Guard soldiers from the Khartia Brigade take cover after firing on Russian positions

“Free, complete and safe commercial navigation, as well as access to seaports in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea, are crucial,” the final document said.

It added: ‘Attacks on merchant ships in ports and along the entire route, as well as on civilian ports and civilian port infrastructure, are unacceptable.’

The document also suggested that future discussions on a framework for peace should include Russia.

“We believe that achieving peace requires the engagement and dialogue between all parties,” the joint statement said.

It said the summit participants had “decided to take concrete steps in the above areas in the future, with further involvement of the representatives of all parties.”