The Kremlin has dismissed the upcoming Swiss-hosted peace summit on Ukraine as a “completely absurd activity” and an “idle pastime,” stating that it is understandable that many countries are declining to participate without Russia’s involvement. The summit, scheduled for June 15-16, aims to address the ongoing war in Ukraine, but Russia has not been invited.
Ukraine Confident of Strong International Support
Kabul 24: Despite Russia’s skepticism, Ukraine remains confident that over 100 countries and organizations will attend the summit, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy emphasizing the importance of international support in resolving the conflict. The meeting comes at a crucial point in the third year of the war, where Russian forces have recorded gradual gains since February.
China Joins Russia in Refusing to Attend Summit
In a significant blow to Ukraine’s efforts, China has announced it will not participate in the summit. This decision was noted with satisfaction by Russian parliament speaker Vyacheslav Volodin in a Telegram post on Tuesday. The move further underscores the divisions between Ukraine and its international partners.
NATO Countries Allow Ukraine to Strike Targets Inside Russia
Recent weeks have seen several NATO countries agree to allow Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia using weapons supplied to Kyiv. This decision has been met with warnings from Russian President Vladimir Putin that it could escalate the war into a global conflict. Russia has emphasized its willingness to engage in dialogue based on the “new realities” it has created on the ground, where its forces control about 18% of Ukraine. However, Ukraine insists that peace can only be achieved through a full withdrawal of Russian forces and the restoration of its territorial integrity
