Ukraine faces challenges for peace summit as Russia and China disrupt plans

Ukraine wants to organise a peace summit in Switzerland. Russia undermines these efforts, said Volodymyr Zelensky. "They visit many countries around the world today, threatening food, agricultural or chemical blockades, energy prices, or simply exerting pressure," he said. He added that China is also trying to block the summit.

Ukraine is organising a peace summit in Burgenstock, Switzerland, which will take place on 15-16 June. As Volodymyr Zelensky emphasised at a conference in Singapore, 106 countries have confirmed their presence.

The President of Ukraine stated, however, that Russia is increasing efforts to disrupt the event.

"Russia visits many countries around the world today, threatening food, agricultural or chemical blockades, energy prices or simply exerting pressure on other countries not to participate in the summit," he said.

He added that some countries have also started helping Russia with this diplomatic disruption.

"The United States has confirmed its high-level participation. We have a chance that the President (USA Joe Biden - red.) will come. As for China, they have not confirmed their presence at any level," he said.

"The USA contacts some countries and encourages them to participate in the peace summit. China, on the contrary. Unfortunately, they try to prevent countries from attending the peace summit," Zelensky said.

"Ukraine has offered peace through diplomacy, an honest form of a global peace summit. I invite your region, your leaders, and your countries to join to engage your nations. And by uniting against one war, we create a true experience for the world, an experience of overcoming any war and diplomacy that works," he said.

Ukraine expects that during the peace summit, countries will develop an action plan regarding issues of free navigation, nuclear and energy security, and the exchange of prisoners and the return of children illegally deported by Russia.