Zelensky arrives in Switzerland ahead of Ukraine peace summit

GENEVA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on June 14 he had arrived in Switzerland ahead of a two-day summit for peace in Ukraine, to be attended by dozens of world leaders, but without Russia.

One hundred delegations will be taking part in the event, the Swiss organisers said on June 14.

Mr Zelensky hopes to marshal international support for

his plan to end the war unleashed by Russia

more than two years ago.

“There will be two days of active work with countries from all parts of the world, with different nations that are nonetheless united by a common goal of bringing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine closer,” Mr Zelensky said on X, formerly Twitter.

Mr Zelensky said talks will focus on the issues of nuclear safety, food security and the return of prisoners of war and Ukrainian children taken to Russian-controlled territory.

The Ukrainian leader has been on a whirlwind diplomatic tour in recent weeks to whip up support and attendance for the summit.

On June 12, he was in Saudi Arabia after trips to Qatar, the Philippines and Singapore earlier in June.

The summit comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow

would only enter peace talks

after Ukraine pulls its troops out of the east and south of the country.

Mr Zelensky dismissed that demand as a territorial “ultimatum” reminiscent of Adolf Hitler.

Ukraine has said Russia must withdraw its troops from Ukraine’s internationally recognised territory, including the annexed Crimean peninsula, as part of any peace deal.

The two sides have not held direct talks since the first weeks of the war.

Russia was not invited to the summit in Switzerland, and Moscow’s close ally China will not be taking part.

But at least 57 heads of state and government will be in attendance, Switzerland said on June 14.

The United States, Ukraine’s most important financial and military backer will be represented by Vice-President Kamala Harris. AFP