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KYIV, May 26 – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy today called on U. S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to sign up for an upcoming peace summit as his country struggles to fend off Russia’s relentless attacks in its 27-month invasion.
Moscow’s forces have engaged on the battlefield in recent weeks and stepped up their airstrikes on cities, and Kyiv hopes the June meeting in Switzerland will increase foreign pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin.
In an English-language video recorded inside the charred remains of a printing press destroyed in a Russian airstrike on Thursday, Zelenskiy said the summit would “show who in the world needs to end the war. “
“I appeal to the world leaders who are still on the sidelines of the Global Peace Summit efforts: President Biden, the leader of the United States, and President Xi, the leader of China,” he said.
“Please show your leadership in promoting peace: genuine peace and just a pause between attacks.
Russia has said it sees no point in a convention to which Moscow has recently been invited.
Zelenskiy’s comments come two days after Russian sources told Reuters Putin is in a position to end the war in Ukraine through a negotiated ceasefire that recognises existing battlefield lines.
Zelenskiy and Ukraine’s supporters say a ceasefire will only serve to rearm and regroup.
In recent months, Russia has made slow but steady gains along parts of the vast eastern front and will push deeper into the northeastern Kharkiv region after a ground incursion introduced earlier this month.
In an interview with Reuters last week, Zelenskiy said it was very important to bring as many countries together as possible in peace talks. Putin said he believes the negotiations could turn Ukraine’s demands for Russia’s withdrawal into an ultimatum for Russia.