DISINFO: High meeting under UN aegis called for Ukraine peace talks on Russia’s terms
SUMMARY
The Ukrainian authorities seem to disregard the global agenda. The Council of Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly (UNCPGA) called for the launch of a peace process in Ukraine based on the 2022 Istanbul agreement which foresees Ukraine’s neutrality and refusal to join NATO. The declaration adopted as a result of the UNCPGA meeting in Qatar, promotes the idea of Ukraine’s neutrality and the decision about 'self-determination of territories taken by Russia, in the form of a referendum under UN aegis.' This declaration can be seen as a bright signal that global elites are ‘dumping’ Ukraine.
RESPONSE
This is an attempt to discredit the peace summit which Switzerland will host in mid June 2024 following a request from President Zelenskyy and to promote a false view that a majority of the international community is leaning towards Russia’s vision of future Ukraine peace talks. In April 2024, Russian officials suggested a draft Russia-Ukraine agreement negotiated in 2022 in Istanbul as a basis for future Ukraine peace talks.
The Meeting of the Council of Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly (UNCPGA) was held in Doha, Qatar, from May 1 to 3, 2024. However, no specific declaration, particularly regarding Ukraine-related issues as claimed, can be found on official UN sources, including the website of the President of the UN General Assembly. Furthermore, even if such a declaration had been made, it would not necessarily represent the will of sovereign countries, as the UNCPGA consists of private individuals who formerly chaired the UN General Assembly. The members of the UNCPGA are, as stated in its charter, the former Presidents of the United Nations General Assembly.
At the same time, the UN website features the keynote address by Dennis Francis, the President of the General Assembly, made at the UNCPGA meeting in Qatar on 2 May 2024. The address was strongly critical of Russia’s actions in Ukraine saying, “In Ukraine, blatant disregard for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of a fellow UN Member State by another – especially one that wields a veto power and presumed a lead custodian of our peace and security – has fuelled much broader geopolitical tensions that threaten global stability”.
In October 2022, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution condemning Russia’s annexation of four Ukraine regions and demanding it immediately withdraw all its military forces from Ukrainian territory, with 143 votes in favour and 5 against.
According to the Swiss government, the Ukraine peace summit aims to create a framework favourable to comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine, as well as "a concrete roadmap for Russia's participation in the peace process". Over 100 countries will receive formal invitations to take part in the conference.
Read our detailed analysis on pro-Kremlin disinformation attempts to discredit any legitimate attempts to find peace in Ukraine.