Zelensky warns of Russian plot to derail June peace summit

Russia is preparing to disrupt the global peace summit scheduled for June in Switzerland, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday.

World leaders are set to receive invitations to the first Global Peace Summit, scheduled for June in Switzerland. Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking in early April, expressed his hope that 80-100 countries would take part in it.

On Wednesday, Zelensky disclosed that Russia, which won't be participating in the summit, plans to interfere.

"We have precise intelligence - specific information - that Russia intends not just to disrupt the Peace Summit but also has a detailed plan on how to do this, including reducing the number of participating countries and acting in a manner that will delay peace even further," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a meeting with ambassadors from other nations.

He announced that Ukraine would share what it knows about Russia's plans with its allies. "And together, we must combat this - we must act in unity for a just peace," he stated.

Zelensky highlighted that the summit in Switzerland aims to establish the initial steps towards peace.

"This represents the first significant effort over all these years of conflict. The very first diplomatic initiative of this scale. There have been many attempts and proposals, but this combined effort, this shared platform, marks the first initiative of its kind," Zelensky remarked.

The Kyiv Independent has reported on Ukrainian peace proposals, which include the complete withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine, the restoration of Ukraine's territorial integrity, the release of all prisoners of war and deported individuals, and the prevention of ecocide in Ukraine, as well as the accountability for those responsible for war crimes.