Zelenskyy calls on Asian countries to join Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland

At a meeting of defense chiefs from across the Asia- Pacific , including China and the United States, Mr Zelenskyy said “time is running out” and the conference in Switzerland would help countries reach a consensus on peace in Ukraine.

More than 100 countries and international organizations have so far committed to attending the conference, Mr. Zelenskyy said in his speech. China confirmed last week that it would not send a delegation to the conference.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks at the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore, June 2. Photo: Reuters

The Ukrainian leader made the appeal directly at the Shangri-La Dialogue as the Ukrainian army is trying to repel a major Russian offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region amid shortages of weapons and manpower after more than two years of conflict, forcing Kiev to urgently appeal for international support for its peace plan.

Mr Zelenskyy’s peace plan calls for Russia to withdraw all its forces and restore Ukraine’s former borders. The Ukrainian leader has previously said he would not negotiate with Russia until its forces withdraw.

Mr Zelensky stressed that Ukraine was “ready to hear many different proposals and ideas” on ending the conflict at the meeting in Switzerland. He said the conference would address three points in his peace formula, including “nuclear security, food security and the release of prisoners of war” as well as Ukrainian children who have fled to Russia.

In his speech, Mr. Zelenskyy also stressed Ukraine's disappointment that some world leaders did not confirm their participation in the summit.

Russia said the conference would be meaningless without its participation. Last week, a Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman said the “real formula for peace” was for Western countries to stop supplying weapons to Ukraine.

Ngoc Anh (according to CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/ong-zelenskyy-keu-goi-cac-nuoc-chau-a-tham-gia-hoi-nghi-hoa-binh-ukraine-post297794.html