- Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s two-day peace summit has begun, with the US announcing a $1.5bn aid package. But Joe Biden has skipped the talks for an election fundraiser – and other key players, like China, are not in attendance
More than 90 countries are taking part in today’s peace summit, but the US will not be represented by Joe Biden, who is holding an election fundraiser in Los Angeles.
Instead, vice president Kamala Harris is in attendance – riling Kyiv – with Saudi Arabia and India dispatched lower level delegations.
China is staying away after Russia was frozen out of proceedings.
Nonetheless, Volodymyr Zelenskyy hopes to make a series of agreements that could form part of a peace-making process.
Swiss federal president Viola Amherd and Volodymyr Zelenskyy – Reuters
The leaders of France, Germany, Italy, the UK, Canada and Japan are among those due to attend.
Broader concerns such as food and nuclear security are expected to be part of the talks.
European officials privately concede that without support from Moscow’s main allies, the summit’s impact will be limited.
“What can [Mr Zelenskyy] hope for out of it?” said Daniel Woker, a former Swiss ambassador.
“Another small step forward in international solidarity with Ukraine.”
EU Commission president, Ursula von der LeyenReuters
German chancellor Olaf Scholz told Welt TV: “Many questions of peace and security will be discussed, but not the very biggest. That was always the plan.
“This is a small plant that needs to be watered, but of course also with the perspective that more can then come out of iit.”
Neutral Switzerland, which took on the summit at Mr Zelenskyy’s behest, wants to pave the way for a future peace process that includes Russia.
Meanwhile, while Kyiv may have been disappointed by the US president’s absence at today’s peace summit, vice president Kamala Harris’ announcement may smooth over any misgivings.
She has announced more than $1.5bn in aid, including Ukraine’s energy sector and humanitarian crises resulting from Russia’s invasion.
The funding includes:
- $500m for energy assistance
- $324m for emergency energy infrastructure repair
- $379m for refugees and other people impacted by the war, such as food, health services, water and sanitation.
“These efforts will help Ukraine respond to Russia’s latest attacks on Ukraine energy infrastructure by supporting repair and recovery, improving Ukraine’s resilience to energy supply disruptions, and laying the groundwork to repair and expand Ukraine’s energy system,” Ms Harris’ office said.
@Sky News
