Ukraine Aims for Global Peace Summit This Year, According to Deputy Foreign Minister

By Max Hunder

Ukraine is planning to host a global "peace summit" of world leaders this year, according to Deputy Minister Mykola Tochytskyi. His announcement followed discussions among international representatives in Malta over the weekend regarding Kyiv’s peace proposal in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

"This goal remains necessary and achievable … interest in this has been shown," Tochytskyi stated in a phone interview shortly after his meetings. He indicated that heads of state and government would participate in the summit.

The recent Malta meeting, which took place on Saturday and Sunday, drew representatives from 66 countries, either in person or online, marking an increase of more than 20 nations compared to the last gathering in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in August.

Importantly, discussions did not involve Russia.

During the Malta discussions, Tochytskyi mentioned that participants reviewed five aspects of the ten-point peace formula proposed by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy last year. These points include nuclear safety, food security, energy security, the release of prisoners and deported persons, and territorial integrity.

Tochytskyi pointed out that Ukraine’s outreach to "Global South" countries has not been hindered by differing views on the Israel-Hamas conflict, though such events could complicate the focus on Ukraine. "Do military events in other regions make it more difficult? Of course they can, but it underscores the importance of President Zelenskiy’s formula, as it is fundamentally about peace."

For months, Ukraine has been working to strengthen ties with governments in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, yet its support for Israel has sometimes clashed with the positions of some of these nations.

Additionally, Tochytskyi confirmed that China did not attend the Malta meeting, despite Ukraine’s efforts to secure a representative from Beijing. "The reasons for this are unknown to me; as far as I recall, the Chinese representative, Li Hui, indicated plans to attend in Jeddah," he remarked.

Tochytskyi also emphasized that Ukraine is maintaining an open-door policy for China or any other country to join future summits.