Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made an impassioned appeal to global leaders, urging their participation in an upcoming peace summit aimed at addressing the escalating conflict with Russia. Emphasizing the critical importance of U.S. President Joe Biden’s attendance, Zelenskiy stressed that the summit, scheduled to take place in Switzerland next month, is a pivotal opportunity to rally international support against Russian aggression.
Zelenskiy’s call comes as Ukraine faces relentless attacks from Russian forces, with the conflict now in its 27th month. Recent Russian advances on the battlefield and intensified air strikes on Ukrainian cities have heightened tensions and underscored the urgency of the summit. The June meeting aims to unite the international community in exerting pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt his military campaign.
In a poignant video message recorded amid the ruins of a printing press destroyed by a Russian airstrike, Zelenskiy highlighted the summit’s significance. “This summit will reveal who in the world truly desires an end to the war,” he stated. Directly addressing President Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Zelenskiy implored them to demonstrate genuine leadership in seeking lasting peace, not merely a temporary cessation of hostilities.
Russia, currently excluded from the conference, has expressed scepticism about its purpose. Despite this, Zelenskiy remains resolute in his pursuit of a comprehensive resolution, firmly rejecting the notion of a simple ceasefire that could allow Russia to regroup and rearm.
The situation in Ukraine remains precarious, with Russian forces making slow but steady gains along the eastern front. Zelenskiy’s call for a broad coalition of nations to attend the peace talks reflects the urgency of finding a lasting solution to the conflict. Meanwhile, Putin’s response remains uncertain, with concerns that Ukrainian demands could be perceived as ultimatums.