Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia and China of discouraging countries from attending a peace summit led by his country on Sunday, telling reporters in Singapore that China had become "an instrument" of Russia.
The Ukraine-led initiative, to be held in Switzerland on June 15, hopes to attract 80 to 100 nations — but excludes Russia's participation in the event. Last week, Zelenskyy called on America's Joe Biden and China's Xi Jinping to be present. Neither are expected.
At the time of the summit's launch in April, Zelenskyy said: "We believe this will be the most powerful summit. A peace summit. Yes, it's inaugural. But it's a summit of great significance, which will gather our partners and where we will build a roadmap for further steps towards ending the war."
Disappointingly, China — typically a strong, independent nation — has become an instrument of the Kremlin regime. Russia has been using Chinese diplomats, as well as China's influence in Asia, to discourage countries from attending the Ukrainian peace summit in Switzerland.
Whatever comes out of the Ukrainian Peace Summit is null and void. How can you try to have a negotiated settlement to the war with only one side of the conflict? If Ukraine is real about bringing the war to an end, it must negotiate with Russia.