Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (File image)
Photo : PTI
At a bombed out printing press in Kharkiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that 80 countries are participating in the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland beginning on June 15, just after the G7 meeting in Italy.
Speaking from Kharkiv, the Ukrainian President said: “More than 80 countries confirmed they will come. And we continue to work with the leaders, inviting them to join the summit. I thank everyone who really helps to bring the peace. And I am appealing to the leaders of the world who are still aside from the global efforts of the Global Peace Summit— to President Biden, the leader of the United States and to President Xi, the leader of China… please show your leadership in advancing the peace.”
President Zelensky, speaking from Kharkiv (bitter fighting has been going on reasonably close to the city), spoke of “real peace” and “not a pause between strikes.” Switzerland has invited India to participate in the summit— a Swiss diplomat came to India earlier this month with the invitation. The external affairs ministry will decide about who will attend after the elections.
The war between Russia and Ukraine has been continuing for over two years and India has called for the immediate end to the war and peace talks. During a meeting with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the 21st century was not the time for war.