Exclusive: The Geneva Observer is publishing today an appeal to end the war in Ukraine by the Club de Madrid, the world’s largest forum of democratic former Presidents and Prime Ministers with 100+ members in 70 countries.

Club de Madrid urges Presidents Xi, Putin and Zelensky to embed proposals that emerge from upcoming exchanges in binding commitments in accordance with UN Charter

March 18, Madrid – In light of the upcoming exchange between Presidents Xi and Putin, Club de Madrid strongly reiterates its call to end the war in Ukraine. Bringing an end to the conflict was the Club’s 100+ Members’ first recommendation at its Annual Policy Dialogue in Berlin on 31 October-1 November 2022. It remains so today.

At its Annual Policy Dialogue in Berlin on 31 October-1 November 2022, Club de Madrid concluded with five recommendations. The first of these was to End the War in Ukraine.

We said at the time:

“The international community must bring all their political capital to bear in stopping Russia's aggression, restoring Ukraine's territorial integrity and enabling its economic and social reconstruction. The indivisibility of security – the principle that no country may advance its own security at the expense of that of another– must be at the core of an effective peace and security architecture. The 1999 OSCE Charter of European Security, the OSCE´s Astana Commemorative Declaration of 2010, and the more recent Global Security Initiative of China, among others, provide parameters within which this can be achieved.“

The government of the People’s Republic of China, in its statement of “China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis”, published on 24 February 2023, argued for respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries under international law, and strict adherence to the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations Charter. The Government of China further called for ceasing hostilities, resuming peace talks, resolving the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine; strict adherence to international humanitarian law prohibiting attacks on civilians or civilian facilities; the protection of civilian nuclear facilities under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency; prohibition of the threat or use of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons; and continued implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative to enhance global food security. In this context, the Government of China proposed an end to unilateral sanctions, restoration of global supply chains; post-conflict reconstruction; and construction of a balanced, effective, and sustainable European security architecture, providing for common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security.

President Xi will visit President Putin in Moscow next week. President Zelensky of Ukraine has also indicated that he would like to speak with President Xi on the proposals advanced by the Government of China. Media reports note that President Xi will speak to President Zelensky.

The arrest warrants just issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Vladimir Putin and his children’s rights commissioner, Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, the first to be issued by the ICC for crimes committed in the Ukraine war, certainly add complexity to an already fraught situation.

In light of the Chinese Government’s reference to the centrality of the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter in maintaining adherence to international law, we encourage President Xi to consult the United Nations Secretary-General on the steps he proposes be taken to implement “China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis”, and to coordinate closely with the UN Secretary-General as his initiative proceeds. We recall that Article 1 (1) of the Charter of the United Nations provides:

“The Purposes of the United Nations are: To maintain international peace and security, and to that end: to take effective collective measures for the prevention and removal of threats to the peace, and for the suppression of acts of aggression or other breaches of the peace, and to bring about by peaceful means, and in conformity with the principles of justice and international law, adjustment or settlement of international disputes or situations which might lead to a breach of the peace.”

We welcome this opportunity to potentially End the War in Ukraine and urge all parties to work with the Secretary-General of the United Nations to embed the proposals that emerge from the exchanges in the weeks ahead in binding commitments in accordance with the United National Charter.

Danilo Türk, President of Slovenia (2007-2012) and President of Club de Madrid

For further information, please contact: Alejandro Hita, Communications Manager: ahita@clubmadrid.org | +34 622 14 87 29