The “International Summit for Peace in Ukraine” was held last weekend on June 10th and 11th in Vienna. The idea of this conference was to bring together various international pro-Russian “peace organizations” freely operating in the West to produce a declaration to back the “Chinese peace plan” – the plan first issued last February. That plan called for an immediate cessation of hostilities on the battlefield, followed by negotiations and an end of sanctions against Russia. The plan, if implemented, would leave Russia in control of almost 20% of Ukrainian territory – and require “negotiations” mediated by Russia-ally China to decide on the fate of the rest of Ukraine.
The conference was sponsored by various “peace” and pro-Russian front groups, most notably CODEPINK, run by the multi-millionairess “peace activist” Medea Benjamin. A second organization was the International Peace Bureau (IPB), and there were a series of smaller, even less important groupings in attendance. All of these groups are vehemently opposed to NATO, repeating the mantra that “NATO started the war”- and that “Russia is merely defending itself.”
In the week preceding the conference, Olexander Scherba, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Austria [2014-2021] charged that these “peace activists” were “the fifth column and henchmen of the Russian government,” and in the days leading up to the conference organizers were forced to change its planned venue at least twice due to complaints from Ukrainians and others who objected to hosting a pro-Russian meeting in Vienna.
The details of the “peace conference” were organized in Vienna by longtime Austrian anti-American activist and occasional journalist, Leo Gabriel and the German “peace-activist” Reiner Braun, the Executive Director of the IPB.
The two most important invitees did not come or even send recorded videos. Brazil’s president Lula had at first agreed to send a video address to the conference. Lula is not merely Brazil’s president, but he also played a very big role in the formation of the economic block called “BRICS.” BRICS is Brazil, Russia, China, India, and South Africa. Having such allies puts him in a very difficult position when trying to play a “neutral arbiter” role in Ukraine. In the end, he decided not to send a video.
Professional contrarian economist Jeffrey Sachs was also a no-show. Sachs is usually quite supportive of the anti-NATO, anti-US line and has appeared on Vladimir Solovyov’s TV show on Russian state TV. Surprisingly, even though he has repeatedly pushed a pro-Russian line, he decided to stay away.
Who did come? Clare Daly, Ireland’s firebrand pro-Russian member of the European Parliament, Medea Benjamin’s loyal side-kick Ann Wright; Father Alejandro Solalinde, Advisor to the President of Mexico, and Former UN Diplomat Michael von der Schulenburg, Germany.
Most of the participants appeared to be over sixty (and some much older), with a scattering of people between twenty and thirty. Middle-aged people were noticeably absent.
During the two days of the conference, there was a steady attack on NATO and the United States, but there were at least two young women who pointed out their solidarity with Ukraine. One was a young Italian woman who stated that members of her group had been to southern Ukraine and experienced the war for themselves. She said that her group was unwilling to sign on to any “peace proposal” from the conference. Another was an exiled Russian woman – a self-described “activist” who spoke from the floor as she detailed Putin’s crimes -including murder- against activists and journalists in Russia. Ms. Benjamin responded, angrily telling her that her “time was up” and the dissenter was heckled and was forced to leave the conference hall. Reiner Braun added nonchalantly that “all these countries have huge problems,” as if Putin’s behavior was normal and acceptable and equivalent to that of any other nation.
As expected, the meeting produced an agreement with the principles of the “Chinese peace plan.” As Medea Benjamin said, “If you don’t like the Chinese peace plan, where is your peace plan?” In fact, there have been “peace plans” from not just China, but similar plans from Brazil, Indonesia, and Africa. The Vatican is also offering up a plan.
Who was most absent from this “peace conference?’ The majority Ukrainian viewpoint – which is – Russia must leave Ukrainian territory. Yes, they did invite three Ukrainians to speak, but those who dominated the forum were not Ukrainians, but pro-Russians from various countries.
Given her wealth and the influence that brings, we can expect more events like this from Ms. Benjamin and her CODEPINK. No doubt she will be trying to line up more politicians and others in the United States and in Europe in an attempt to cut aid to Ukraine. Anyone who cares about the survival of Ukraine and its culture should be cognizant of this threat.
NB! This reporter observed much of the conference over a Zoom link.
Author: Jeremy Bigwood, independent researcher and multimedia journalist, USA.
