In a bid to take the first steps towards peace in Ukraine, a summit was held in Stansstad, Switzerland on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Despite the absence of Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed optimism that "history is being made" at the conference.

The conference saw the participation of several world leaders, including the presidents of Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Somalia, along with numerous Western heads of state, government leaders, and high-level envoys. Their presence aimed to encourage Russia's future inclusion in the peace process.

During a brief statement at the outset of the summit, Zelenskyy hailed the gathering as a success, highlighting the importance of joint efforts in stopping wars and establishing a just peace. Swiss President Viola Amherd stood alongside Zelenskyy in support.

More than 50 heads of state and government attended the summit, held at the Bürgenstock resort overlooking Lake Lucerne. Additionally, about 100 delegations from European bodies and the United Nations were present. The absence of Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022, was a notable point of discussion and criticism.

Prior to the summit, Russian President Vladimir Putin presented his conditions for ending the war, although they did not include any new demands. However, the proposals were deemed "manipulative" and "absurd" by Kyiv.

Other significant attendees at the summit included Turkey and Saudi Arabia, represented by their foreign ministers. Countries like Brazil, India, and South Africa were represented by lower-level officials, while China and numerous others chose not to participate, citing the need for Russia's involvement.

The summit's agenda covered nuclear safety at the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia power plant, humanitarian assistance, a prisoner of war exchange, and global food security. These topics were considered less controversial compared to Zelenskyy's 10-point peace formula, which included Russia's withdrawal from occupied Ukrainian territory and the restoration of Ukraine's original borders.

Putin called the conference a diversion and dismissed it as a ploy to shift focus away from other global events. However, the International Crisis Group emphasized that the summit provided an opportunity to underline Russia's aggression and violation of international law.

Despite skepticism about major breakthroughs, the conference symbolized a crucial step in the ongoing efforts towards peace in Ukraine.