As snow storms cause airport closures across southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic, Ukraine’s Chief of Staff, Andriy Yermak, has used a platform at the tenth meeting over Ukraine’s Peace Formula to make a pledge on what could be the imminent re-opening of war-victim, Kyiv Airport.
86 diplomats at Boryspil
Yermak was speaking at a peace summit, attended by an array of international diplomats, including 86 foreign states and three international organizations. It took place at Boryspil International Airport (KBP) – sending a strong, symbolic message.
86 participants joined the discussion: representatives of 83 foreign states and 3 international organizations. The Peace Formula has become a cohesive framework, with elements tightly interconnected.
We have made progress on each of the nine points we have already worked on. pic.twitter.com/GN44RuOq7d
— Andriy Yermak (@AndriyYermak) December 1, 2023
29 km (19 miles) east of Kyiv city centre, Boryspil is Ukraine’s largest airport and once served 65% of its passenger air traffic as well as being a hub for national flag carrier, Ukraine International Airlines.
The airport was among the first major infrastructure victims to closure in Ukraine after Russia’s invasion on 24 February 2022. It has long been promised that it would be the first place to reopen when Ukraine’s stability and security situation allowed.
Symbolic boarding cards
Yermak took pride in affirming the strengthening of Ukraine’s position and the country’s growing ability to protect and defend sites like the airport.
I am certain that the symbolic boarding cards that you were given when you came in today will soon turn into real ones.
Andriy Yermak, Ukraine’s Chief of Staff
“We are now capable of providing security for this site, thanks to our defence forces and our friends, your countries,” Yermak announced.
10-point-plan
Other speakers addressing attendees and calling for peace included the President of The Elders, (a non-governmental organization of international public figures), former Irish President Mary Robinson, and Ban Ki-moon, former Secretary-General of the United Nations.
President Zelensky’s 10-point-plan for peace establishes a blueprint for Ukraine’s peace and covers areas as fundamental as ceasefire, and as sensitive as the release of prisoners and the fate of up to 19,500 Ukrainian children that Ukraine says have been deported to Russia against their will. Other topics cover nuclear security, environmental safety, and achieving food and energy security. It is notable that Ukraine faces another winter where Russia will try to freeze the population into submission.
Was honored to discuss the tenth point of the Peace Formula initiated by the President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the ambassadors of the partner countries in a symbolic location – our Boryspil airport @BoryspilAero.
Convinced that security and lasting peace in Ukraine and Europe… pic.twitter.com/IvM0MJSlPP
— Rustem Umerov (@rustem_umerov) December 2, 2023
The agenda for this latest round of talks focused on ensuring “a just peace” in Ukraine building on the UN Charter key principles. Among items also part of the discussions were the withdrawal of Russian troops; recognition of Ukraine’s 1991 borders; and the establishment of a special tribunal to try and judge the crime of cross-border aggression.
