Biden will not attend Ukraine summit in Switzerland
3 Min Read
Biden will reportedly be attending a pre-election fundraiser which is occurring at the same time as the conference later this month.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Vice President Kamala Harris pose after a joint press conference at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Germany, on Saturday, February 17, 2024. (AP)
US President Joe Biden has confirmed that he will not be attending the summit in Switzerland meant to discuss the war in Ukraine and will instead delegate Vice President Kamala Harris and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
Biden will reportedly be attending a pre-election fundraiser that is occurring at the same time as the conference later this month.
Russia has not been invited to the summit and China has declined to participate.
Zelensky voiced his dissatisfaction last week with Beijing's stance, revealing his inability to meet with the Chinese delegation at the conference and lamenting China's decision not to attend the summit. "China, unfortunately... is working for countries not to come to the peace summit," he said.
In contrast, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun affirmed that China maintained neutrality in the Ukraine war, promoting peace talks without supporting either side.
"On the Ukraine crisis, China has been promoting peace talks with a responsible attitude," Dong remarked. "We stand firmly on the side of peace and dialogue."
'Applauding Putin'
Harris' spokesperson Kirsten Allen said on Monday that “Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Lucerne, Switzerland on June 15 to participate in the Summit on Peace in Ukraine,” adding that this “will underscore the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s effort to secure a just and lasting peace.”
She also confirmed that Sullivan will join Harris at the conference in the Burgenstock resort.
Read next: Swiss upper house rejects $5.58bln aid plan for Ukraine
Biden was scheduled to visit Europe later this week to attend the 80th anniversary of the Normandy landings in France and “part of” the G7 summit due June 13-15 in Italy – which prompted speculations of the possibility of him “stopping by” the resort or have Zelensky come to him.
Zelensky attempted to pressure Biden into giving legitimacy to the summit, under the title of peace, based on the argument that his absence would "not be a particularly strong move" and would let down world leaders who "need President Biden."
He further called everyone who skipped out on the conference a tool of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The reported political fundraiser in Hollywood, headlined by actor George Clooney, is anticipated to feature actress Julia Roberts and former President Barack Obama.
Last week, Zelensky said the absence of Biden is like giving Putin "a standing ovation," noting, "If he is not present, it will be just like applauding Putin: personally applauding and doing so standing."
