The American State–Media Complex Is Escalating the Ukraine War
American ConservativeJul 18
Russia Should Attend Second Peace Summit, Zelenskyy Says
Above: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky answers questions at the 75th NATO Summit on July 9, 2024 in Washington, DC. Image copyright: Bonnie Cash/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
In his first press conference since attending the NATO summit in Washington last week, Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that Russia should attend a second peace summit after it was excluded from the first event a month earlier.
A total of 78 countries signed the final communiqué from the June conference in Switzerland. However, a number of attendees were absent from the signatory list, with many calling for eventual Russian participation.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Should Ukraine, as the victim of this war, decide it's in their interests to negotiate, the US will support this as has always been the case. However, it should be noted that Russia has never been serious about diplomacy, and engaging with it should be treated with serious skepticism.
Pro-Ukraine narrative
According to polls, a growing number of Ukrainians do support the prospect of starting negotiations with Russia. However, the data is clear that Putin's aspirations of holding onto Ukrainian territories are overwhelmingly rejected by the populace and that the return of Ukraine's borders should be the basis of any agreement.
Pro-Russia narrative
The first event held by Ukraine did not resemble a peace summit in any sense of the term. The Kremlin would need to have a much firmer understanding of what the second event would entail before it can meaningfully comment on its participation.