Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attends a joint press conference in the Burgenstock of Lucerne, Switzerland, June 16, 2024. /CFP
Multiple countries from the Global South failed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who sought more international support during his country's fight against Russia at a peace conference held over the weekend in Switzerland.
India, Indonesia, South Africa and Saudi Arabia were among the nations that did not sign the final statement drafted at the conference, Bloomberg reported on Sunday.
Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, who attended the conference, was quoted by Bloomberg as saying, "Kyiv must be prepared for a 'difficult compromise' to end the conflict."
According to Bloomberg, the Saudi Foreign Minister's view held broadly among the countries which have been courted by Ukraine.
Regarding India's decision not to sign the final declaration, Shin Pavan Kapoor, a state secretary in the foreign ministry, told Bloomberg, "Only options that are 'acceptable to both parties' can lead to peace."
Besides the countries from the Global South, the Western countries on which Zelenskyy has heavily relied also let him down at the meeting.
Vice U.S. President Kamala Harris, not President Joe Biden, attended the meeting and left after the first day. French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also departed early due to political upheaval at home.
Moreover, the communique adopted at the meeting does not mention holding a follow-up meeting.