No negotiations on end of war: Scholz on topics and expectations of Peace Summit

Scholz said this in an interview with the German weekly Stern, Deutsche Welle reports.

"No one should have excessive expectations. We are not negotiating to end the war," he said.

Scholz added that the meeting in Burgenstock "will at best mark the beginning of a process that could lead to direct talks between Ukraine and Russia". 

Regarding the topics of the Peace Summit, Scholz said that Switzerland would primarily discuss the safety of nuclear power plants, grain exports, as well as the exchange of prisoners and the need for a prohibition on the use of nuclear weapons.

The chancellor also noted that work is underway to ensure that countries that are not sincere supporters of Ukraine will participate in the Peace Summit. These include, for example, Brazil, South Africa and China.

At the same time, Scholz expressed disappointment at the lack of response from Europeans after his call for more arms to Ukraine. 

"It is depressing because Ukraine urgently needs additional air defense systems," he said, referring to the renewed Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory. According to Scholz, this shows that Putin "obviously intends to destroy Ukraine's infrastructure".

Peace Summit: details and features of the event

On February 26, Switzerland announced its intention to hold a summit on peace in Ukraine by the summer. The Kremlin says that organizing such an event without Russia is "not serious and even ridiculous."

On March 18, Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland Wang Shiting said that China is considering participating in a peace summit organized by Switzerland at Ukraine's request.

On May 2, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said that Russia should participate in the Peace Summit, as "a peace process without Russia is unthinkable." However, Moscow was not invited to the event this year.

On the same day, Ukrainian President Zelensky said that the summit would be the first real chance to restore peace.

The Peace Summit will develop a common negotiating position for Ukraine, which will be passed on to Russia's top leadership, Ukrainian presidential spokesman Serhii Nykyforov said.

Swiss President Viola Amherd said that she had invited Pope Francis to the Global Peace Summit to be held on June 15 and 16 in Burgenstock.

On May 7, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally invited the leaders of Belgium, Spain, Latvia, and Finland to the Global Peace Summit.