On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend a peace summit in Switzerland next month.
“I am appealing to the leaders of the world who are still aside from the global efforts of the global peace summit: to President Biden, the leader of the United States, and President Xi, the leader of China,” Zelensky stated in a video message, as quoted by AFP.
“Please support the peace summit with your personal leadership and participation,” Zelensky added, emphasizing that the “efforts of the global majority are the best guarantee that all commitments will be fulfilled.” He also expressed the need for the attendance of leaders "whom Russia will not be able to deceive."
The peace summit is scheduled to take place in Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 15th and 16th.
The Swiss government is hosting the event at Ukraine's request.
According to the Swiss authorities, 160 delegations have been invited, but Russia will not attend. Zelensky mentioned that “more than 80 countries confirmed they will come.”
The objective of the summit is to exert international pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Moscow has consistently stated that it sees no value in the conference.
Earlier this month, President Putin remarked, "they are not inviting us," adding that Russia would not seek to attend an event where it is unwelcome.
Zelensky’s appeal follows a Reuters report citing Russian sources that indicated Putin was ready to consider a negotiated ceasefire recognizing the current battlefield lines. However, Zelensky and Kyiv's supporters argue that a ceasefire would only enable Russia to rearm and regroup.
Biden's participation has not been confirmed, while organizers noted that attendees include members of the G7, the G20, and the BRICS group.
China reiterated its stance this week, declaring in a joint statement with Brazil that it supports "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 is viewed as a key strategic ally of Putin, with the Russian leader having visited China following his re-election earlier this month. American officials reported last month that Beijing is assisting Russia in military expansion, including collaboration on drone production, though they stopped short of claiming China is directly supplying weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.
Zelensky stated that "more than 80 countries confirmed they will come" to the summit, and Ukraine is continuing efforts to invite more leaders.
The peace summit is being convened amidst Russia's ongoing escalation of attacks on Ukraine during its 27-month-long invasion. Recently, Moscow has made significant advances on the battlefield, capturing several villages in eastern Ukraine.
Russia has intensified its airstrikes on Ukrainian cities and the country's energy infrastructure. Earlier this month, Moscow launched over 70 missiles and drones overnight in one of its most extensive attacks targeting Ukraine's energy facilities.
The May 7 attack targeted facilities in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and six other cities. This occurred as Kyiv has been urging its Western allies to send more weapons, warning that its defense capabilities are dwindling.
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