In Singapore, Mr. Zelensky said China prevented countries from attending the Ukraine peace conference.

On June 2, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise appearance at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual forum organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS, UK) in Singapore with the participation of representatives from many countries and organizations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at the Shangri-La Dialogue on June 2.

Appearing in his usual blue suit, Mr Zelensky spoke about the conflict in Ukraine and the weakening role of diplomacy in resolving problems.

President Zelensky said he was creating a new security architecture for Ukraine based on bilateral agreements. "There are already 15 such agreements and there will be more. These are comprehensive agreements, covering everything from defense cooperation to political and economic interaction," Zelensky said.

The leader called on all sides to support and attend a Ukraine peace conference in Switzerland in the middle of this month. "We believe that the world wants to be united and is capable of acting in a completely harmonious way," Mr. Zelensky said.

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At a press conference later, he expressed regret at not being able to meet the Chinese delegation in Singapore and disappointment that Beijing would not attend the peace conference in Switzerland, according to Reuters.

“Unfortunately, China is trying to prevent countries from attending the peace conference,” the Ukrainian president added. China did not immediately respond to the statement.

Mr. Zelensky answered the press conference after the speech

At a regular press conference in Beijing on May 31, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said it would be difficult for China to attend the Ukraine peace conference without Russia present, according to AFP.

She said the conference should include Russia and Ukraine and have equal discussions on all peace plans, "otherwise it will be difficult for the conference to play a real role in restoring peace".

Russia has criticised the idea of holding a peace conference without it as absurd. "Looking for options for a solution to the Ukrainian conflict without Russia's participation is absolutely illogical, pointless and a waste of time," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

In Singapore on June 2, President Zelensky said that more than 100 countries and organizations had registered to attend the conference in Switzerland. However, the event is expected to be overshadowed if US President Joe Biden is not present, according to AFP.

President Zelensky met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue and said the meeting went “very well.” He said the two discussed Ukraine’s defense needs, including strengthening its air defense system, an alliance to support F-16 fighter jets, and drafting a bilateral security agreement.

Secretary Austin emphasized the United States' steadfast support for Ukraine, reaffirming the commitment to maintain the support of a coalition of more than 50 countries for Kyiv.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tai-singapore-ong-zelensky-noi-trung-quoc-ngan-cac-nuoc-du-hoi-nghi-hoa-binh-ukraine-185240602161057259.htm