This week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invited Russia to a second Peace Summit, while Colombia ended a promising ceasefire with a FARC splinter group and a hardline Israeli minister made a controversial visit to the Temple Mount as negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza continue.
Zelensky continues to work for peace, despite Russia’s ongoing invasion
As Russia continues its war against Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to work for a diplomatic solution, inviting Russia to a potential second Peace Summit. The first, held in Switzerland, aimed to develop a framework for a peaceful end to the war and brought together dozens of countries. However, many countries that have remained ties with the Kremlin, notably China, India, and Brazil, did not attend or participate in the summit, which made peacebuilding efforts difficult. Zelensky’s invitation, coming weeks after what appears to have been an intentional Russian attack on a children’s hospital in Kyiv, demonstrates that Ukraine continues to hope for a peaceful resolution to the war, despite the high cost to lives and infrastructure. Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to accept, considering his position that any diplomatic solution must legitimize Russia’s illegal occupation of Ukrainian territory. However, it is an important sign that despite over 2 years of brutal war, Ukraine is willing to work towards a peaceful solution, despite the ongoing frequent attacks on civilians.
Yet another setback for negotiations in Colombia
Colombia’s ongoing negotiations with armed groups continue to hit roadblocks, as the government ended a ceasefire with one rebel group. The EMC, one of the largest FARC splinter groups which refused to sign a crucial 2016 peace deal, has now split into two different factions, complicating ongoing negotiations. One faction has been in conflict with the government in some remote regions since March, and the end of the national ceasefire means that fighting might spread nationwide. The other faction continues to negotiate, with a ceasefire in place until October. While the EMC was not a large group to begin with, and the faction fighting the government does not pose a significant threat, it is still a setback for Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s hopes for “total peace” in the country.
Gaza negotiations continue despite new threats
As negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue in Doha to find a ceasefire in Gaza, provocative actions and statements from extremist Israeli politicians are one of many challenges to an eventual agreement. This week, hardline far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, a provocative action that was accompanied by statements calling for a continuation of the war until “victory”. Ben Gvir is known for his ultranationalist views, and frequently visited the compound, a sensitive religious site managed by Jordan. His visit was condemned by the Israeli Minister of Internal Affairs and a group representing the family of Israeli hostages, but risks complicating the negotiations even further. This event highlights the complicated environment surrounding the ceasefire talks, which are desperately needed to end a war that has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians, and raised the risk of famine for millions more, while increasing the threat of a dangerous regional conflict.
