Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has proposed inviting Russian representatives to a second peace summit, tentatively planned for November. This marks a significant shift in Ukraine’s approach to peace negotiations, as Russia was not invited to the first summit held in Switzerland, which was attended by 92 countries. Zelensky emphasized the importance of inclusivity, stating, “I believe that Russian representatives should be invited to the second summit”. The Ukrainian President aims to have a fully prepared plan by November to enable Kyiv to host the second summit.The United States has expressed support for Ukraine’s decision. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller stated, “It is up to Ukraine to decide when and how and in what state it undertakes diplomatic negotiations”. However, it remains unclear whether the Kremlin is willing to engage in genuine diplomacy.Meanwhile, the European Union has taken unprecedented steps to boycott Hungary’s EU presidency due to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s controversial diplomatic visits to Russia and China. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has cancelled the traditional visit of the college of commissioners to Hungary and adjusted the level of representation at meetings under the Hungarian presidency. Several EU member states, including Sweden, have announced they will not send ministers to government meetings related to Hungary’s EU presidency.Orbán, who has called his trips a ‘peace mission’, has urged European Council President Charles Michel to resume diplomatic relations with Russia and start negotiations with China to organize a peaceful conference to resolve the Ukrainian conflict. However, these unilateral actions have been seen as undermining EU unity and policy towards Russia.As tensions escalate, Ukraine is set to receive a batch of F-16 fighter jets from its allies this summer, although Zelensky noted that this would not be enough to fight on the same level as the Russian air force.
Key points
- Ukrainian President Zelensky proposes inviting Russian representatives to a second peace summit planned for November.
- The EU is boycotting Hungary’s presidency due to Prime Minister Orbán’s controversial diplomatic visits to Russia and China.
- Ukraine is set to receive F-16 fighter jets from allies, but Zelensky says it’s not enough to match Russian air force capabilities.
Contradictions👾While Zelensky proposes including Russia in peace talks, Russian State Duma’s Foreign Affairs Committee head Leonid Sluzki states that Russian representatives will not participate in the second peace conference.
