Approximately 100 delegations from various countries and international bodies attended the Switzerland-hosted Summit on Peace in Ukraine last weekend. The goal was to forge a path that participants hoped could end Russia's conflict with Ukraine.

Despite the majority of participants endorsing the brief communique released at the summit's conclusion, several significant nations abstained. The two-day diplomatic event at the Burgenstock resort in Stansstad, Switzerland, saw attendance from high-profile leaders, including U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and representatives from the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and other countries.

Here is an analysis of the Ukraine peace communique and the reasons some countries refrained from signing it.

What were the key points of the Ukraine peace communique?

The communique articulated a "common vision" on several "crucial aspects," including:

• All nuclear facilities, such as the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, must be secure according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards and supervision. The power plant has been a focal point of combat since the war began, raising fears of a potential nuclear mishap.
• The uninterrupted flow of Ukrainian agricultural products to interested third countries should be permitted. The communique emphasized that "Global food security depends on uninterrupted manufacturing and supply of food products" and condemned attacks on merchant ships and civilian port infrastructure in the Black Sea and Azov Sea as "unacceptable."
• All prisoners must be exchanged, and unlawfully displaced Ukrainian civilians should be repatriated. Specifically, "all deported and unlawfully displaced Ukrainian children, and other unlawfully detained Ukrainian civilians, must be returned to Ukraine." According to Ukraine, 20,000 children have been taken by Russian authorities during the conflict.

Which nations endorsed the communique?

A total of 82 delegations endorsed the communique. Swiss President Viola Amherd noted that the "great majority" of summit participants agreed to the document.

Some of the endorsing nations include: Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, the European Commission, the European Council, the European Parliament, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kosovo, Latvia, Norway, Palau, Qatar, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, the UK, and the US.

Which nations did not endorse the communique?

• Countries like India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates attended the summit but did not sign the joint communique.
• Brazil attended as an observer but did not support the communique.
• Russia was not invited to the summit and dismissed it as "futile." China also did not attend. Pakistan, an ally of China, was invited but chose to abstain.

Reasons for not endorsing the communique:

• India: Pavan Kapoor, Secretary (West) of India’s Ministry of External Affairs, stated that India avoided endorsing the communique due to Russia's absence. He asserted that peace in Ukraine requires engagement from "all stakeholders" and practical negotiation between the conflicting parties.
• Saudi Arabia: Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al Saud echoed similar concerns, emphasizing the need for "serious negotiations" that would involve difficult compromises and include Russia's participation to be credible.
• South Africa: National Security Advisor Sydney Mufamadi highlighted Israel's participation in the summit, just days after a UN-backed commission accused Israel of committing war crimes. Mufamadi questioned the communique's legitimacy, arguing that its sponsors' call for "respect for international law" was undermined by Israel's alleged violations. South Africa has accused Israel of genocide in Gaza at the International Court of Justice.