Ukraine is at an impasse: Media

Ukraine has found itself in a deadlock following the results of a peace summit held in Switzerland, reports Conversation. "In the worst-case scenario, the current approach has put Ukraine in a dead end. Western support is still more rhetorical than real. Meanwhile, a recently proposed peace initiative by China and Brazil seems to be gaining traction globally," the article states.

It notes that the Ukrainian armed forces continue to face issues on the battlefield. The slow pace of Western military aid and its related restrictions continue to hinder Ukrainian defense, the authors explain. Additionally, a new mobilization law is causing deep divisions and affecting the population of a country that is short of soldiers, the commentators add.

“The results of the summit were disappointing,” the publication concludes.

Earlier, at the end of May, China and Brazil had released a joint memorandum on the "Political Settlement of Ukraine Crisis" following a meeting between China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Brazil's Special Adviser to the President, Celso Amorim. The parties agreed that negotiations are the only viable option for resolving the crisis and that all sides must create conditions for the resumption of direct dialogue. China and Brazil also expressed support for a timely international peace conference recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation from all parties and fair discussions of all peace proposals.

Switzerland hosted a conference on Ukraine on June 15-16 near Lucerne at the Bürgenstock resort. More than 90 countries confirmed their participation, half of which are from Europe, along with eight organizations. Notably, 11 countries, including Armenia, Bahrain, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Libya, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates, did not sign the final communiqué. Later, Iraq and Jordan withdrew their signatures.

US President Joe Biden, along with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, did not attend the summit. Switzerland did not invite Russia, which in any case would not attend. The Kremlin has stated that searching for ways to resolve the Ukrainian conflict without Russia's involvement is absolutely illogical and unrealistic.

The joint communiqué regarding the outcomes of the summit calls on Kyiv to regain control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, as well as calling for free movement in the Black and Azov seas, and the exchange and release of all prisoners of war. The document also speaks about the necessity of dialogue among all parties to cease the conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on Saturday that Russia would immediately cease fire and express readiness for negotiations after Kyiv withdraws its troops from the LPR, DPR, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions. The state leader noted that Kyiv must also formally notify NATO of its abandonment plans regarding membership and recognize the Russian status of the new regions, the Republic of Crimea, and Sevastopol, which implies the lifting of all Western sanctions against Russia. For a peaceful resolution, Moscow requires Ukraine's neutral, non-aligning, non-nuclear status.