Zelensky criticizes Biden’s absence from Ukraine peace summit as ‘applauding Putin’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has issued a stark warning to US President Joe Biden, stating that his absence from an upcoming Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland would be equivalent to giving Russian leader Vladimir Putin a standing ovation. Zelensky made these comments during a visit to Brussels, urging maximum participation from world leaders in the mid-June conference.

While Zelensky has confirmed the attendance of dozens of world leaders at the summit, Biden has yet to confirm his participation. Zelensky emphasized the importance of Biden’s presence, stating that it is crucial for the US leader to be part of the peace talks.

The Ukrainian President framed the decision to attend the summit as a choice between peace and war in Ukraine, urging leaders to prioritize peace efforts. He criticized countries that choose to skip the summit, accusing them of being “satisfied with war.”

Zelensky also ruled out Moscow’s participation in the summit, accusing Putin of attempting to derail the peace talks. He highlighted Russia’s recent gains in eastern Ukraine and its continued efforts to escalate the conflict.

The summit comes almost 28 months into Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, with tensions escalating in recent weeks. Zelensky’s impassioned plea for global participation underscores the urgency of finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in the region.