Kyiv, Ukraine – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has issued a strong warning about the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland, stating that if U.S. President Joe Biden does not attend, it would be seen as a victory for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The peace summit, scheduled for June 16-17, aims to build on Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace plan and set the stage for future peace negotiations. Topics will include nuclear safety, navigation freedom, food security, and humanitarian aid.
While the U.S. has confirmed its participation, it remains unclear if Biden will attend. Biden is expected at a G7 summit from June 13-15 but may skip the Swiss summit to attend a fundraiser in Los Angeles with George Clooney and Julia Roberts, according to Bloomberg.
“I want President Biden to be there personally. America supports this summit, but we don’t know at what level. His absence would be a big win for Putin,” Zelenskyy said during a visit to Brussels. “This summit needs President Biden. Other leaders value the U.S. reaction, and without him, it would be like giving Putin a standing ovation.”
So far, 70 states and organizations have confirmed their attendance out of 160 invited, with many European leaders, including European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, planning to attend. Russia has not been invited and will instead hold a BRICS meeting of foreign affairs just before the Swiss summit.
China and Brazil recently issued a joint statement emphasizing the need to include both Ukraine and Russia in peace talks, without mentioning the occupied territories in Eastern Ukraine. “All parties should create conditions for direct dialogue and push for de-escalation until a comprehensive ceasefire is achieved,” the statement read.
Biden’s potential absence, Russia’s parallel events, and the Chinese-Brazilian statement have raised doubts about the summit’s effectiveness. Zelenskyy called on all nations to participate, even those with different views on ending the war, emphasizing the importance of every voice.
“We appeal to world leaders: if you want peace, join us at the peace summit. Let’s prepare this platform together with our partners,” Zelenskyy urged. “There’s no need for alternatives. Please come to the summit; we have an open mic.”
He further challenged countries to take a clear stand. “If you support peace, come to the summit. If you side with war, you’ll go to Putin’s gathering. Putin fears this peace summit,” he said. “Silence means you’re okay with what’s happening. Speak up and choose a side: peace or war.”
In response, the European Commission stressed the summit’s importance and said it was working hard to ensure broad representation.
