Zelenskyy Accuses Russia and China of Undermining Ukrainian Peace Summit

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Facts

  • Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia and China of discouraging countries from attending a peace summit led by his country on Sunday, telling reporters in Singapore that China had become 'an instrument' of Russia.1
  • The Ukraine-led initiative, to be held in Switzerland on June 15, hopes to attract 80 to 100 nations — but excludes Russia's participation in the event. Last week, Zelenskyy called on America's Joe Biden and China's Xi Jinping to be present. Neither are expected.2
  • At the time of the summit's launch in April, Zelenskyy said: 'We believe this will be the most powerful summit. A peace summit. Yes, it's inaugural. But it's a summit of great significance, which will gather our partners and where we will build a roadmap for further steps towards ending the war.'3
  • However, speaking to reporters at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's biggest security conference on Sunday, Zelenskyy took on a different tone: 'Regrettably, Russia, using Chinese influence on the region, using Chinese diplomats also, does everything to disrupt the peace summit.'1
  • 'It is unfortunate that such a big, independent, powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of Putin,' he added.1
  • On Sunday, Ukraine imposed emergency power blackouts in all but three regions of the country. A day earlier, Russian attacks again targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure. At least 19 people were injured.4

Sources: 1Guardian, 2Verity, 3President and 4Associated Press.

Narratives

  • Pro-Ukraine narrative, as provided by Guardian. Disappointingly, China — typically a strong, independent nation — has become an instrument of the Kremlin regime. Russia has been using Chinese diplomats, as well as China's influence in Asia, to discourage countries from attending the Ukrainian peace summit in Switzerland.
  • Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by TASS. Whatever comes out of the Ukrainian Peace Summit is null and void. How can you try to have a negotiated settlement to the war with only one side of the conflict? If Ukraine is real about bringing the war to an end, it must negotiate with Russia.

Predictions