Ukraine holds peace formula talks in Malta, but Russia is absent
Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade | Via Reuters

Malta's foreign minister Ian Borg meets a delegate during the weekend meeting organised by Ukraine to discuss its peace formula for ending the war with Russia, being held behind closed doors in an unnamed hotel in St Julian's, Malta Oct. 28, 2023.

National Security Advisers from around 65 countries have gathered in Malta for a weekend meeting organized by Ukraine to discuss its peace formula for ending the war with Russia.

It is the third such meeting this year after smaller ones in Jeddah and Copenhagen but Russia is not involved.

A 10-point peace plan proposed by Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy includes calls for the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, withdrawal of Russian troops, protection of food and energy supplies, nuclear safety and the release of all prisoners.

The meeting is being held in a Maltese hotel ballroom behind closed doors, but officials said it was hoped it would lead to an agreement to hold a global peace summit later this year.

The talks will help gauge Ukraine and the West's ability to drum up continued and broader support, particularly in the Global South, as the conflict in Israel dominates headlines, moving the focus from Kyiv.

Moscow last week criticized Malta for hosting it, describing it as an anti-Russia event that would be counter-productive.

Malta's foreign minister, Ian Borg, said Malta would continue to show its support to efforts for the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity.

"Despite being a neutral country, we cannot not condemn the injustices, atrocities and abuse of power in the region. We remain at the forefront of condemning this aggression," he told delegates.

No official list of delegates was issued, but officials said they include representatives of European, South American, Arab, African and Asian countries.