Zelensky Urges Biden and Xi to Attend Peace Summit for Global Stability
Recent Battlefield Advancements by Moscow's Forces Amid Increased City Air Strikes. Kyiv Aims for June Switzerland Summit to Amplify Global Pressure on Putin.
KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Urges US President Joe Biden and Chinese Leader Xi Jinping to Participate in an Imminent Peace Summit amid Ongoing Russian Aggression in the Nation’s 27-Month-Long Conflict.
In recent weeks, Moscow’s military forces have made significant advances on the battlefield while intensifying air strikes on urban areas. Kyiv is banking on the upcoming June gathering in Switzerland to rally international support and exert pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In a video recorded in English amidst the wreckage of a printing press obliterated by a Russian air strike on Thursday, Zelensky emphasized that the summit would serve as a litmus test to discern which global actors genuinely seek an end to the conflict.
“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 to President Xi, the leader of China,” he said.
“Show true leadership in driving forward genuine peace – not just a temporary ceasefire between attacks.” He added.
Russia has dismissed the conference, stating it sees no value in participating in an event it’s not currently invited to.
Zelensky’s comments came two days after Russian sources told Reuters that Putin was ready to halt the war in Ukraine with a negotiated ceasefire that recognizes the current battlefield lines.
Zelensky and Ukraine’s supporters say a ceasefire will only help Russia rearm and regroup. Russia has in recent months made slow but steady gains along several parts of the sprawling eastern front and is attempting to push deeper into the northeastern Kharkiv region after a ground incursion launched earlier this month.
In an interview with Reuters last week, Zelensky said it was crucial to get as many countries around the table at the peace talks as possible. Putin has said he believes the talks may convert Ukrainian demands for a Russian withdrawal into an ultimatum for Russia.