Russia-Ukraine war set to grind on as peace conference packs little punch

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky walks during the Summit on peace in Ukraine, in Obburgen, Switzerland (Michael Buholzer/AP)

Russia and Ukraine are set to remain locked in battle for the foreseeable future after an international gathering billed as a first step toward peace delivered no eye-catching diplomatic breakthrough that might suggest a coming end to Europe’s biggest conflict since World War Two.

The absence of Russia and China from the two-day conference in Switzerland on the weekend and the decision by some key countries — including India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Mexico — not to sign the meeting’s final document on Sunday meant that the gathering had little to show beyond some goodwill and pledges to keep working for peace after more than two years of war.