Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has extended an invitation to US President Joe Biden and China’s President Xi Jinping to attend a peace summit in Switzerland next month. Zelensky emphasized the importance of their presence, stating that the collective efforts of global leaders are crucial to ensuring that all commitments made at the summit are honored.
In an emotional video message delivered in English, Zelensky stood amidst the ruins in the heavily bombarded city of Kharkiv. He appealed directly to the leaders, saying, “I am appealing to the leaders of the world who are still aside from the global efforts of the peace summit: to President Biden, the leader of the United States, and to President Xi, the leader of China. Please support the peace summit with your personal leadership and participation.”
Zelensky stressed that the attendance of these leaders would be the best guarantee that the commitments made during the summit would be fulfilled. He also highlighted the importance of having leaders present “whom Russia will not be able to deceive.”
The peace conference is scheduled to be held at a luxury resort near Lucerne on June 15-16, hosted by the Swiss government at Ukraine’s request. While 160 delegations have been invited, Russia will not be attending. The event is expected to last just over a day, with participation from members of the G7, the G20, and the BRICS group.
As of now, Biden’s attendance has not been confirmed. Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the lack of an invitation, stating, “they are not inviting us,” and expressing that Russia will not seek to attend an event where it is unwelcome.
China has reiterated its stance in a joint statement with Brazil, supporting “an international peace conference held at a proper time that is recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation of all parties as well as fair discussion of all peace plans.” Xi Jinping, a strategic ally of Putin, recently visited China following his re-election.
US officials have indicated that Beijing is aiding Russia in military expansion, including the joint production of drones, although China has stopped short of directly supplying weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.
Zelensky mentioned that “more than 80 countries confirmed they will come” to the summit, and Ukraine continues to extend invitations to other global leaders.
