Vehicles caught fire after an attack in the Russian city of Belgorod, about 40 km from the Ukrainian border, December 30, 2023. File photo: AFP/VNA

The Ministry said Russia has not been invited, although Bern has always been open to inviting Russia. It cited Russia's repeated statements that it would not be interested in attending the summit.

The Ministry said it believes Russia needs to participate because a peace process in Ukraine that doesn’t involve Russia is unthinkable.

It remains unclear whether Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Joe Biden will be present.

A statement from the Ministry said all countries attending the summit should contribute ideas and visions for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.