Zelensky invited leading military officials to participate in the peace summit on Ukraine

The President of Ukraine said that Kiev is ready to hear various recommendations and thoughts on ending the war with Russia

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Photo: Reuters
Photo: Reuters
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invited a group of leading military officials participating in the Asian Security Conference in Singapore to participate in the upcoming peace summit in Ukraine, and said that Kiev is ready to hear various recommendations and thoughts on ending the war with Russia.

Zelensky told a group of more than 500 delegates from about 40 countries at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue defense conference that he was "disappointed" that some world leaders had not yet confirmed participation in the conference, which will be held in Switzerland in about two weeks.

He did not name a single country, but the media mentioned the possible participation of China, Russia's most important ally, as a key issue.

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun spoke earlier today at the Shangri-La conference, but it seems that he was not in the room when Zelenski made this appeal, AP reports.

Zelensky said that Ukraine has proposals as a basis for peace, for nuclear security, food security, the release of prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia.

"Time is running out and children are growing up in Putin's country, where they are taught to hate their homeland," Zelensky said.

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photo: Reuters

Zelensky said that at the same time, Ukraine is ready "to hear various proposals and thoughts" that will lead it to the end of the war and a sustainable and just peace.

The greater the participation in the conference, the more likely Russia will have to listen, he said.

"The global majority can ensure with its involvement that what was agreed is actually implemented," Zelenski said.

He said that he will meet with the Prime Minister of Singapore later today and that he will invite him to personally attend the conference in Switzerland.

Zelensky pointed out that this also applies to other countries in the region, and that Ukraine expects that they will support the summit and be present in Switzerland.

Singapore's Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen, who was with Zelensky, did not say whether his country's leaders would attend, but stressed that Singapore condemned the invasion and had given Ukraine ambulances.

"We are with you, and I think your appearance at the Shangri-La Dialogue epitomizes what we hope for, a rules-based order that guarantees the safety and survival of nations large and small," he said.

Earlier today, in his address to the gathering, Chinese Defense Minister Dong did not specifically mention the meeting in Switzerland, but said that, as far as the Ukraine crisis is concerned, Beijing is promoting peace negotiations with a responsible attitude. He added that China did not send weapons to any side in the conflict.

"We have never done anything to fan the flames. We are firmly on the side of peace and dialogue," he said.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is also attending the conference, sat in the front row as Zelenskiy addressed the gathering.

In his remarks on Friday, Austin said that "Putin's War" presented everyone with a picture of the world that none of them wanted to see.

"We were all inspired by the courage of the Ukrainian military and the resilience of the Ukrainian people. People around the world rushed to help Ukraine defend itself, including the countries of the Indo-Pacific," Austin said.

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