Ukraine aims to end the full-scale war primarily through diplomatic settlement, but the only acceptable outcome for the Ukrainian people remains a sustainable and just peace, rooted in respect for international law. This is how Ukraine’s diplomatic platform, the Peace Formula, was born. Its goal is to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine and achieve overarching global peace.
The Ukrainian Peace Formula
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy first introduced the Ukrainian Peace Formula in the fall of 2022 during the G20 summit in Indonesia. The Ukrainian vision for the peace initiative is outlined in the Philosophy of the Peace Formula, and the plan itself consists of 10 points:
- Radiation and nuclear safety
- Food security
- Energy security
- Release of prisoners and deportees
- Implementation of the UN Charter and restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and the world order
- Withdrawal of Russian troops and cessation of hostilities
- Restoration of justice
- Environmental security
- Prevention of escalation and recurrence of aggression
- Confirmation of the end of the war
The Ukrainian Peace Formula is essentially a way to compel Russia to make peace and to respect the UN Charter. Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that not all territories should be reclaimed by military means and that the war can be justly concluded through diplomacy and political pressure on Putin. To achieve this, the majority of the world’s nations, especially the major geopolitical players on whom Russia depends, such as China and India, should unite around the Ukrainian plan.
To promote the Peace Formula, Ukraine has held discussions in various formats with the participation of as many countries as possible. In 2023–2024, such events took place in Denmark, Saudi Arabia, Malta, and Switzerland. One outcome of these meetings was the creation of working groups on each point of the Peace Formula.
Ukraine also hosted the inaugural Global Peace Summit on June 15–16, 2024, where the Peace Formula positions were discussed by world leaders rather than just advisors. The summit was undoubtedly beneficial for Ukraine, though it has not so far yielded a full success.
To involve more countries, three of the least contentious points of the Formula were put forward for discussion: nuclear safety, food security, and humanitarian exchange of prisoners and the return of illegally detained civilians, including Ukrainian children. As a result of the Summit, the vast majority of participating countries (around 80) signed a communiqué outlining the contours of peace and containing fully acceptable terms for Ukraine. In particular, the document emphasized respect for territorial integrity and referred to Russia’s war against Ukraine. The joint document provided for concrete steps to implement the three points of the Peace Formula. The communiqué remains open for endorsement by other countries and international organizations.
An important advantage of the Peace Formula is that it addresses global issues, allowing for the engagement of a broad coalition of allies. However, a downside remains the lack of decisive support for the Ukraine's plan from the Global South countries, particularly China, whose representatives did not attend the Peace Summit.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that if China adopts a strong stance, it could pressure Russia to stop the war. However, China is advancing its own peace initiatives, the first of which was made public on February 24, 2023. At the time, the plan seemed rather vague.
Peace Formulas of Other Countries
Ahead of the Peace Summit in Switzerland, China’s Special Envoy for Resolving the Russia-Ukraine War, Li Hui, visited several Global South countries. Following these visits, China prepared a new “peace plan,” whose key provision is an immediate ceasefire while allowing Russia to retain control over the occupied territories.
The topic of diplomatic settlement of the Russia-Ukraine war has been repeatedly activated. Numerous “peace initiatives” proposing different ways to end hostilities emerge on a regular basis. Among them, one can recall peace plans from leaders of African countries, Indonesia, former U.S. President Donald Trump, Pope Francis, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Hungarian President Viktor Orbán, and others.
However, none of these proposals envisage a just end to the war. These plans merely juggle proposals on how best to appease Vladimir Putin. Before the Summit in Switzerland, Russia expressed its own vision for “ending the conflict”. The Kremlin’s plan includes withdrawing Ukrainian troops from the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions, granting Ukraine the neutral status, ensuring the rights of Russian-speaking citizens, and lifting sanctions against Russia. Moreover, Russia promotes the concept of a “Eurasian security system”, aimed effectively at fragmenting international law and creating, through regional and subregional organizations, a coalition of states alternative to the West.
Russia’s “peace approach” looks more like Ukraine’s capitulation with the ultimate goal of destroying the Ukrainian identity, rather than achieving sustainable and comprehensive peace. Thus, after the first Peace Summit, work to unite countries around Ukraine’s Peace Formula continues. Kyiv plans to build on the results of the first summit through discussions on the three themes, while simultaneously preparing a plan to implement all points of the Ukrainian Formula.
For example, following the support for the joint communiqué adopted at the Peace Summit, the UN General Assembly on July 11 approved a resolution on nuclear safety drafted by Ukraine. The resolution specifically states that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant must remain under Ukraine’s full sovereign control, in accordance with the principles of the IAEA.
In general, it is expected that the war-ending plan will be finalized this year and will serve as the basis for a second Peace Summit. The Office of the President of Ukraine indicates that the current focus is on organizing thematic conferences to solidify the high-level working group outcomes on each point of the Peace Formula. Ukraine is also engaged in diplomatic efforts to bring as many countries, including China, into intermediate events ahead of the second Peace Summit.
A key point of contention is whether to invite Russia to the second summit (the aggressor has not yet been involved in any event related to the Peace Formula). There is growing global consensus around the idea that peace requires the involvement of all parties. Ukraine does not oppose this initiative but emphasizes that Russia’s joining does not mean starting negotiations - it is simply a way to present the Ukrainian plan to the Russian side in the presence of representatives from other countries.
It is important to note that defending territorial integrity remains a “red line” for Ukraine in the implementation of the Peace Formula. A favorable situation on the battlefield for Ukraine could attract more countries to support the Formula and turn the nations currently still hesitant about supporting Ukraine to our side.
The Sustainable Peace Manifesto
However, even the complete withdrawal of enemy troops from the Ukrainian territory does not guarantee lasting peace. That is why dozens of Ukrainian public intellectuals and civil society leaders developed the Sustainable Peace Manifesto, outlining what the world should look like after Ukraine's victory. The document covers a broad range of issues that chart a path to ending the war and achieving lasting peace, including disarmament and isolation of Russia, changing the global energy balance, decolonizing Russian history and so on. The authors presented the manifesto in many Ukrainian cities and at the Munich Security Conference. The document received widespread positive feedback from Western partners, as most of its proposals were developed in accordance with international law.
It should be emphasized that implementing Ukraine’s concept of ending the war will prevent future aggression and ensure sustainable peace in the interest of all nations, so any peace initiative must take into account the views of Ukrainian society.