New negotiations on Ukraine’s peace plan recently began in Malta, bringing together more than 60 countries from around the world. The two-day meeting, hosted by Ukraine, aims to gain international support for President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace plan. However, Russia, the main actor in the war in Ukraine, chose not to participate in the event, calling it a “deeply anti-Russian event.”
Despite Russia’s absence, the meeting attracted attention and interest from many countries. Indeed, more than 60 delegates, from nations such as the United States, the European Union and Turkey, attended these talks. The objective was to discuss the different measures to be taken to end the Russian invasion in Ukraine and restore peace in the region.
The 10-point peace plan presented by President Zelenskyy notably proposes the withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders. However, Russia rejected this plan, affirming its intention to retain the territories it annexed in September 2022 and in 2014.
Despite these differences, the meeting was seen as an opportunity for Ukraine to receive international support in its quest for peace. Many countries have expressed interest and support for key elements of Ukraine’s peace plan. Furthermore, the meeting also showed that the issue of peace in Ukraine goes beyond the country’s borders, and requires global attention and commitment to respect international law.
However, some countries chose not to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine and not actively participate in the discussions. This is particularly the case for South Africa, India and Brazil. China, too, decided not to send a delegation to Malta.
Discussions at the meeting focused on several key areas, including food security, energy security, nuclear security, humanitarian issues and the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity. The security situation at the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant and the protection of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure were also discussed.
In conclusion, although Russia did not participate in this meeting, the discussions allowed Ukraine to mobilize international support for its peace plan. It now remains to be seen whether these diplomatic efforts will lead to a resolution of the conflict and a genuine restoration of peace in Ukraine.