Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s comment following the latest Copenhagen-format meeting on Ukraine in Davos

On January 14, Davos, Switzerland, hosted the fourth Copenhagen-format meeting on Ukraine.

According to reports, the number of participating countries and organisations may have increased to 82 compared to 66 in the previous round, held in Malta on October 28, 2023. However, quantity does not necessarily equal quality, and the Davos meeting was no exception. Apart from participants posing for a family photo and tentatively agreeing to meet again, the outcomes of this gathering were a complete failure for Kiev and its Western masters.

As usual, China refused to attend the meeting. Many other countries from the Global Majority chose to lower their level of representation or attended as observers, which can hardly be regarded as active participation.

In addition, there was a growing divide among the countries represented at the meeting. Despite the increased attendance, Ukraine and the West were unable to recruit new members into the anti-Russian camp or adopt an outcome document. Even the statement released by Ukraine and Switzerland as the meeting’s chairs contains a note stating that the document does not reflect the opinions of all attendees.

Today, more countries from the Global South and East, including those that attended the Copenhagen-format meetings, are openly saying that discussing any possible contours of an eventual settlement of the Ukraine crisis does not make any sense without Russia.

There is a growing understanding that the ultimatums set forth in the Zelensky Formula cannot bring about a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. This framework is based on delusional demands, such as withdrawing Russian troops to the 1991 borders, holding Russia accountable and making it pay reparations. At the same time, the Kiev regime does not hide the fact that it demands the withdrawal of troops in order to launch a genocide against Russians who support reunification with Russia. Supporting these demands means endorsing ethnic cleansing, which is a crime.

All Copenhagen-format meetings, including the one in Davos and any future gatherings, are ineffective and undermine the prospects for achieving a settlement of the Ukraine crisis. The organisers have been trying to draft The Principles for Peace in Ukraine but they are inherently unviable since they are based on the Zelensky Formula, absurd and unacceptable as it is. Moreover, Zelensky has enacted a legal ban that prevents him from engaging in peace talks with Russia. In addition, meetings of this kind make it impossible to take up useful and reasonable initiatives put forth by the Global South, which aim to address the root causes of the crisis, namely, the West and its Kiev underlings demonstrating disregard for Russia’s legitimate security interests and ignoring them.

It is only by returning to the roots of its statehood, including neutrality, non-bloc and non-nuclear status while fully respecting the rights and freedoms of people of all ethnic backgrounds living on its territory, that Ukraine would be able to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace settlement. Unfortunately, the Zelensky Formula and the agenda of the Copenhagen-format meetings fail to address these crucial matters.