Vice President Kamala Harris is set to represent the United States at the global peace summit organized by Switzerland focused on the war in Ukraine. The event, promoted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, will take place in Lucerne on June 15. President Joe Biden will not be attending as he is scheduled to be at a campaign fundraiser in Los Angeles. The White House emphasized Harris’s commitment to supporting Ukraine in securing a just and lasting peace based on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in line with the principles of the UN charter.
Harris will also reaffirm the US support for the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against ongoing Russian aggression. Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, will also join Harris as part of the US delegation to the summit. Zelensky has been actively promoting the summit and encouraging world leaders to attend, despite accusations that Russia, with China’s help, is trying to undermine the meeting. The summit aims to garner broad international support for Zelensky’s peace proposals, including the full withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, even though Moscow has not been invited.
Zelensky’s office announced that 107 countries and international organizations have confirmed their participation in the summit, which will include Ukraine’s Western allies as well as countries from South America, Africa, and the Middle East. The Ukrainian president has extended invitations to a total of 160 capitals and organizations. However, the Kremlin has dismissed the summit as “absolutely futile” without Russia’s participation. Kyiv decided against inviting Russia due to the lack of trust, as the invasion has resulted in numerous casualties, displacement, and destruction in Ukrainian territory. Russian forces currently control about 18% of Ukrainian land.
The talks at the summit will focus on three key themes: food security, nuclear safety, and the release of all prisoners and deportees. These points have been identified as areas with potential to unite countries with different views. The first talks between Ukraine and Russia took place in the early days of the invasion, followed by further discussions in Belarus and Istanbul, which ultimately broke down. Various peace initiatives were announced throughout 2022 and 2023, including efforts by China, the Vatican, and a group of African countries, but did not lead to any progress. Zelensky signed a decree in September 2022 banning talks with Putin, and Ukrainian officials have maintained their position that peace talks with Russia can only occur once Moscow withdraws its forces from Ukrainian territory.
