In what was dubbed the "Summit on Peace in Ukraine," held in Switzerland on June 15 to 16, the outcome has left much to be desired. While Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Western allies maintain their positive stance, the international community's lackluster participation and the absence of key countries raise concerns about the future of the peace process.

With only 92 out of the 160 invited states and international organizations in attendance, the summit fell short in terms of both participation and the content of the final communique. The lack of signatories and the absence of nations like China, Brazil, India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates underline the challenges faced by Ukraine in garnering international support for its peace agenda.

The summit primarily focused on nuclear safety, food security, and humanitarian issues, as outlined in President Zelensky's 2022 peace plan. However, the final communique failed to mention Zelensky's plan or his demand for a complete withdrawal of Russian troops. Only 84 out of the attending delegations supported the communique, highlighting the lack of consensus.

One of the obstacles to progress was the exclusion of alternative peace proposals, with the insistence by Ukraine and its Western allies that Zelensky's plan was the only one on the table. This prevented any discussion about the seven other third-party proposals, including those sponsored by China, Brazil, Indonesia, and the Vatican. These non-Western initiatives primarily aimed at achieving a ceasefire were not explored, as they were viewed as favoring Russia.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin intensified his territorial demands, requesting not only the return of territories occupied by Russian troops in Ukraine but also the four regions annexed in September 2022 through rigged referendums. This stark contrast between Putin's demands and Zelensky's plan underscores the complexity of finding common ground.

The final communique, which aimed to reflect a strong position in favor of Ukraine, was watered down to accommodate different viewpoints. However, it failed to secure unanimous support from the attending delegations, revealing the challenges faced by Ukraine in garnering full international backing.

The summit's outcome is a cause for concern, as it indicates that Western support for Ukraine remains more rhetorical than substantive. The absence of U.S. President Joe Biden, despite being in Europe for the G7 summit, and the slow pace of Western military aid hinder Ukraine's efforts to defend itself against Russian aggression.

In contrast, momentum seems to be gathering behind the recent China-Brazil peace proposal, which offers an alternative path to peace. This growing support from the rest of the world underscores the need for Ukraine and Western capitals to reassess their current strategy.

As the country continues to suffer on the battlefield, with devastating effects on its power grid and the controversial conscription law dividing public opinion, the Swiss peace summit provides little solace to Ukrainians longing for a just and secure peace. It serves as a clear signal that the current approach presents no clear pathway towards peace, leaving Ukraine's fate on the battlefield uncertain.