Russia did everything it could to prevent many leaders from attending the Global Peace Summit.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said this at the final press conference after the event. He expressed his gratitude that the leaders had shown integrity and demonstrated the independence of their countries and their own opinions.
"We shared different opinions at the summit. We were determined from the very beginning that we would change the format of the summit. They said that the leaders would have the opportunity to have a full broaddcast, and it was true. It was important for societies around the world to hear what the leaders were saying," he said.
Zelenskyy stressed that we want a just and lasting peace based on the UN Charter.
He emphasised that independence and sovereignty were recognised by absolutely all participants of the summit. Answering a question about alternative peace proposals from China and Brazil to "narrow differences", the President stressed that war is not about differences. There is an aggressor - Russia - and a victim - Ukraine.
"As soon as Brazil and China join the principles that have united us here today, civilised countries, we will be happy to hear their opinions, even if they do not coincide with the majority of the world," Zelenskyy said.
- China was not present at this year's summit, and Brazil's representative came as an observer. At the same time, a representative of China attended one of the meetings that preceded the summit.
- China insisted that Russia should participate in the first peace summit. Ukraine has ruled out this possibility, but believes that Russians will be able to participate in the next summit after they are given proposals developed jointly with their allies to establish a just peace.
- Brazil and China have called for an "international peace conference" that would be recognised by both Ukraine and Russia to discuss a "crisis resolution".