"106 Countries and Organizations Promise Attendance"
"China Pressures Other Countries to Boycott, Disappointing"
Chinese Defense Minister Absent from Zelensky Speech... US Defense Minister Attends Front Row
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, accused China of helping Russia to disrupt the 'Ukraine Peace Conference' scheduled for mid-month.
According to foreign media including the AP News on the 2nd (local time), President Zelensky claimed during a press conference after his speech at the Singapore Asia Security Conference (Shangri-La Dialogue) that China is pressuring other countries and leaders not to attend the Ukraine Peace Conference.
Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, is attending and delivering a speech at the 7th plenary session of the 21st Asia Security Conference (Shangri-La Dialogue) held at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore on the 2nd (local time). [Photo by Yonhap News]
He said, "Russia is doing everything to disrupt the peace conference by mobilizing China's influence and diplomats," adding, "It is regrettable that an independent power like China is a tool of Putin."
He added that he did not meet the Chinese delegation at this conference and was disappointed by China's decision not to participate.
President Zelensky, who arrived locally under tight security the previous day, stated in his speech that "so far, 106 countries and organizations have agreed to attend the peace conference to be held in Switzerland in mid-month." He criticized some world leaders who have not yet confirmed attendance and countries that hinder efforts for peace.
In his speech, President Zelensky did not name specific countries. However, since China's attendance, as Russia's most important ally, has emerged as a key issue, his remarks were interpreted as pressure on China.
The AP News reported that Dong Jun, China's Minister of National Defense, who spoke in the morning, did not appear at the venue while President Zelensky was delivering his speech.
Minister Dong, without explicitly mentioning the Ukraine Peace Conference, emphasized regarding the Ukraine issue, "China has promoted peace negotiations with a responsible attitude."
He also added, "We have not done anything to fan the flames. We firmly stand on the side of peace and dialogue," and stated that China has not supplied weapons to either party involved in the war.
AP News reported that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin sat in the front row while President Zelensky was speaking.
The peace conference, scheduled to be held on the 15th and 16th at the resort B?rgenstock near Lucerne in central Switzerland, is a meeting inviting world leaders to discuss the end of the war in Ukraine.
Switzerland has prepared the conference at Ukraine's request, while Russia and China have announced their intention not to participate.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov revealed on the 30th of last month that China proposed the idea of convening a peace conference involving both Russia and Ukraine.
The United States is known to participate in the Ukraine Peace Conference, but President Joe Biden's attendance remains uncertain.
In his speech, President Zelensky said, "Ukraine proposed the conference for nuclear and food security, the release of prisoners of war and children abducted by Russia," adding, "We are ready to hear various proposals and ideas that will lead to an end to the war and a sustainable and just peace."
He emphasized, "The more countries participate, the more we can ensure that agreements are actually implemented," and that the more participants there are, the more Russia will listen.
He also expressed gratitude for military support, including strengthening air defense systems, from the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands.
Before his speech, President Zelensky also held talks with U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin. He revealed via Telegram that they discussed key issues such as strengthening air defense, F-16 support, and bilateral security agreements.
A U.S. Department of Defense official stated, "We conveyed the U.S. military support plan and reaffirmed a strong commitment to support Ukraine."
President Zelensky also met with Prabowo Subianto, President-elect of Indonesia, a delegation of U.S. House Representatives, and Jos? Ramos-Horta, President of East Timor.
He is also scheduled to meet with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
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