Addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized diplomacy as the most effective means to end the ongoing "cruel war" in Ukraine.

He highlighted the upcoming peace summit in Switzerland as a crucial step towards peace, noting the participation of 106 countries and organizations. However, he expressed disappointment over the lack of support from certain world leaders, while accusing Russia of attempting to disrupt the peace efforts despite several bids from Russia to negotiate for peace.

"We are convinced that our world wants to be united and be capable of acting in complete harmony," Zelensky said. 

Moreover, Zelensky voiced his dissatisfaction 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 peace summit. "China, unfortunately... is working for countries not to come to the peace summit," he said.]

In contrast, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun maintained 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."

China sitting out

Kiev censured China for not coming to the Switzerland summit set for June 15 and 16 after Beijing chose to stay out because its conditions for participation were not met, including the participation of both Russia and Ukraine.

Not inviting Russia to the meeting has stirred up controversy, as the country is a main party in the conflict and no peace process can be achieved without its active contribution.

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Beijing told its diplomats this week that the conditions that were not met included that the conference should be recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, there be equal participation by all parties, and that there be a fair discussion of all proposals, one of the sources told Reuters.

China also attempted to position itself as a viable mediator between the warring sides last year, however, its efforts came to avail as the Ukrainian and Western sides sidelined the possibility of a peaceful settlement to the crisis. 

Ruling out Russia's participation and accusing Putin of trying to derail the summit, the Ukrainian President previously claimed, "Putin is very scared of the peace summit," adding, "He has been trying to thwart this summit and continues to do so."

Grateful, but not enough

Zelensky thanked the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands for their military support, especially in providing air defense systems. Healso  underscored the severity of the conflict by citing a recent Russian attack involving nearly 100 missiles. "No country could handle this alone," he said.

Zelensky, despite the paramount assistance he is receiving, once again addressed Ukraine's inability to attack Russian soil.

During the conference, Zelensky and Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov engaged in over an hour-long discussion with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. A Pentagon official reported that Austin updated Zelensky on Washington’s military aid and reiterated the US commitment to robust support for Ukraine days after his country permitted Kiev to attack Russian soil.

"The two leaders pledged to further strengthen the strategic defense partnership between the United States and Ukraine," the Pentagon official disclosed.

US President Joe Biden recently lifted restrictions on Ukraine's use of US-supplied weapons against targets in Russian territory, though officials claim that Biden made the move "only to defend the under-fire" Kharkov region against Russian forces.

Biden's approval of strikes has led European NATO countries to suggest similar strikes on Russian territories. This led Russian President Vladimir Putin to caution certain NATO member states to understand the implications of their suggestions of allowing Kiev to initiate strikes on Russian territory.

In his remarks, the Russian President emphasized that Moscow is closely observing such remarks. Putin further addressed NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's comments regarding potential strikes, stating that Stoltenberg should recognize the indispensable role of space-based reconnaissance for deploying high-precision long-range weaponry.

The Shangri-La Dialogue, organized by the London-based International Institute of Strategic Studies, concluded on Sunday.