Switzerland is organising a Summit on Peace in Ukraine at the Bürgenstock (Canton of Nidwalden). The aim of that heads of state and government meeting, is to develop a common understanding of a path towards a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. This should be the basis for a peace process. During one of the events of the summit, Roberta METSOLA, President of the European Parliament, addresses the participants.

EU - Ukraine (T)

statement

troubles in Ukraine (T)

METSOLA, Roberta (EPP, MT, EP President)

Switzerland

president's agenda

solidarity with Ukraine (T)

Summit on Peace in Ukraine in Bürgenstock (Switzerland): statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President Dear friends, Ukraine is and will continue to be the top priority for the European Union. The European Parliament fully supports Ukraine's peace formula, which is the only comprehensive framework for a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine. We encourage all international partners to help further this process, and we commend all efforts undertaken in goodwill in order to bring this peace process forward.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President I would like to thank President Viola Amherst for hosting the summit and together with President Zelenskyy for bringing us here. This summit is very important. It sends the strongest of signals of our unwavering support to Ukraine, and reaffirms our global efforts to end the unjustified Russian war against a peaceful Ukraine. No one wishes for peace more than our Ukrainian friends to.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President We are coming together here in Switzerland in order to lay down the groundwork for just peace in Ukraine and to pave the way for a lasting stability in the region. To find a common ground and make progress on the issues that are not only a part of President Zelensky's peace formula, but are also of a great importance to the international community. Be it nuclear safety, food security, or humanitarian challenges.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President Russias invasion of Ukraine is a violation of international law. The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders must be upheld. We are here today because we support Ukraine's peace formula because it stems from the principles of the UN charter.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President We all support the aspiration for freedom and peace of Ukrainian people, who are the subject of daily Russian attacks and onslaughts. But let me be clear. No decisions on Ukraine can be made without Ukraine. This must be the bottom line as we try to find a path to peace. We must insist on a peace process that safeguards Ukraine's ownership over its own fate and its own territory.

SOUNDBITE (English) Roberta METSOLA, EP President It is for Ukraine to decide about negotiation conditions. It is for Ukrainians to decide about the choice of their alliances. And here I welcome that accession negotiations with the European Union will start in earnest on the 25th of June. Because in the end, there cannot be peace without freedom. And there can never be a lasting peace without the people of Ukraine. There cannot be peace without hope, and there cannot be hope without truly believing in it. Slava, Ukraine.