Pursuant to the instruction of Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak, Deputy Head of the Office of the President Ihor Zhovkva took part online in the GLOBSEC-2023 International Forum held on May 29-31 in Bratislava (Slovakia).
This year's event attended by more than 1,300 representatives from 63 countries is dedicated primarily to Ukraine, its support and the search for ways to accelerate the restoration of lasting peace and security in the region.
The important topics of the event were: Ukrainian Peace Formula, Euro-Atlantic integration and preparations for the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Ukraine's victory approaching and effective security guarantees for our country.
Ihor Zhovkva opened one of the panel discussions of the second day of the forum "Peace Now: How?". In his speech, he outlined in detail the essence of the Ukrainian Peace Formula proposed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and emphasized that it has no alternative as a basis for achieving peace in Ukraine.
"Since the war is taking place on the territory of Ukraine, it is up to Ukrainians to decide on the conditions under which it should end and what a just peace should look like," the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office emphasized.
According to Ihor Zhovkva, the Ukrainian Peace Formula was discussed in detail during the G7 Summit in Japan with the leaders of both the G7 countries and some countries of the Global South, as well as at the Arab League Summit in Saudi Arabia.
"We are currently working on the widest possible involvement of the international community, including the countries of the Global South, in the implementation of the formula and holding the Global Peace Summit in the near future," the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office emphasized.
At the same time, he noted that the "peace initiatives" of other states can only be taken into account if they unequivocally condemn Russian aggression and, as a first step, provide for the complete and unconditional withdrawal of all Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized 1991 borders.
He emphasized the importance of consistent implementation of all ten points of the formula, which will end at the negotiating table with the definition of the conditions for further coexistence of the two states.
In conclusion, Ihor Zhovkva emphasized: "Ukraine is unwavering in its desire for a truly just and lasting peace. Any proposals for negotiations by the aggressor state that provide for the suspension of hostilities and allow Russia to build up its forces are absolutely unacceptable."