During the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made serious accusations against China, claiming that the country is assisting Russia in disrupting an upcoming peace summit. Zelenskyy alleged that Russia is leveraging Chinese influence in Asia to interfere with the peace talks scheduled to take place at the Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland on June 15-16.
China’s Role in the Disruption of the Summit
Zelenskyy expressed disappointment at the actions of Russia and China, stating that it is unfortunate for such a large and powerful country like China to be used as a tool by Russian President Vladimir Putin. He accused China of pressuring other nations not to attend the peace summit, thereby obstructing the progress towards resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Response from Chinese and Russian Authorities
While CNBC reached out to the Chinese embassy in Singapore for comment, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has previously stated that it will not participate in the peace conference due to unmet expectations. On the other hand, Moscow has not been invited to the summit and has dismissed the conference altogether. Zelenskyy also highlighted Russia’s tactics of threatening nations with blockades of essential goods to further its agenda.
The upcoming peace summit in Switzerland will center around three key points of Ukraine’s 10-point peace plan, which was introduced in November 2022 by Zelenskyy. The agenda will prioritize discussions on nuclear security, food security, and the repatriation of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Zelenskyy emphasized the urgency of the situation, especially concerning the well-being and future of these children.
While Zelenskyy mentioned that 106 nations will be represented at the summit, he expressed disappointment at the absence of some world leaders, including the uncertainty of U.S. President Joe Biden’s attendance. Despite this, the U.S. has confirmed its participation at a high level. Zelenskyy stressed the importance of global support for Ukraine in their pursuit of peace and resolution of the conflict.
Zelenskyy called on Asian countries for their support, emphasizing the need for regional awareness and assistance in ending the war in Ukraine. Specifically addressing Singapore, he expressed his desire for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam to personally engage in the summit. Zelenskyy clarified Ukraine’s stance of seeking political and humanitarian support rather than military intervention from Asian nations.
Zelenskyy underscored the significance of global cooperation and commitment to achieving peace. He urged leaders and countries to demonstrate their dedication to peace by actively participating in the summit and ensuring the implementation of agreed-upon measures. The involvement of the global majority is crucial in bringing an end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
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