KYIV, May 26, 2024 — In a heartfelt appeal from the war-torn city of Kharkiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has invited U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping to participate in a significant peace summit aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The summit, scheduled to be held in Switzerland next month, seeks to unite global leaders and strengthen efforts to end Russia’s 27-month invasion.
Speaking from the remnants of a destroyed printing house in Kharkiv, recently devastated by a Russian missile attack, President Zelenskiy announced that over 80 countries are expected to attend the summit. However, the attendance of leaders from the United States and China remains uncertain. The summit has notably not extended an invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting its intent to consolidate international pressure against Russian aggression.
A U.S. official confirmed America’s participation in the upcoming summit, though details regarding the level of representation remain undisclosed. Meanwhile, China’s position is still unclear, given its historically close ties with Russia.
In his video message, delivered in English to reach a global audience, Zelenskiy emphasized the urgency of genuine peace efforts. “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,” Zelenskiy stated. “Please, show your leadership in advancing the peace – the real peace and not just a pause between the strikes,” he added.
The summit is a critical part of Kyiv’s broader peace plan, which calls for the full withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders, terms that Moscow currently rejects. Recent statements from Russian sources suggest Putin is open to a ceasefire that would recognize current battlefield lines, a proposal Ukraine views as an attempt to undermine the summit’s potential success.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba criticized Russia’s approach, accusing Putin of fearing the summit’s success and sending misleading signals about a ceasefire while continuing attacks across Ukraine.
As the summit approaches, the situation on the ground remains dire. Russian forces continue to make incremental advances in eastern Ukraine, and the regional capital of Kharkiv has suffered repeated bombings. Just last Saturday, another attack claimed at least 14 lives at a local hardware store.
President Zelenskiy’s call for global leadership at the peace summit highlights the ongoing struggle for a resolution in Ukraine, as the world watches closely to see which nations will truly step forward to support peace.
