Zelensky's Efforts to Garner Asian Support for Ukraine Peace Summit Face Resistance

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent diplomatic tour in Asia has faced significant challenges as he sought to rally support for an upcoming peace summit on the conflict in Ukraine. Despite his efforts, key Asian countries, particularly China, have shown reluctance to participate.

Zelensky visited the Philippines on Monday, where he met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to urge regional leaders to attend the global peace summit in Switzerland, scheduled for June 15-16. Zelensky expressed appreciation to Marcos for agreeing to participate, though it remains unclear if Marcos will attend in person or send a representative.

During his visit, Zelensky accused Russia of leveraging Chinese influence to dissuade other countries from attending the summit. He stated, "Russia, using Chinese influence in the region, using Chinese diplomats also, does everything to disrupt the peace summit." This marked a shift in Kyiv's approach, as Ukraine had previously sought to persuade Russia to end its war in Ukraine.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning indicated that China is unlikely to attend the summit. Zelensky expressed disappointment, saying, "Regrettably, this is unfortunate that such a big independent powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of (Russian leader Vladimir) Putin."

Why this matters: The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has significant implications for global security and stability. If Zelensky's efforts to garner support from Asian countries fail, it could embolden Russia and lead to further escalation of the conflict.

The peace summit aims to address critical issues such as nuclear security, food security, the release of prisoners of war, and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. Zelensky emphasized the importance of these topics and urged global participation to ensure a comprehensive dialogue.

Zelensky's visit to Asia included a stop in Singapore, where he attended the Shangri-La Dialogue, a major annual security forum. There, he met with various officials, including Indonesian President-elect Prabowo Subianto, Singapore's President and Prime Minister, and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. However, he faced a cold reception from Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun.

Zelensky accused China of being an instrument of Russia's agenda to thwart Ukrainian diplomacy and of exporting goods to Russia that can be used for military purposes. He stated, "Today, there is intelligence that somehow, some way, elements of Russia's weaponry come from China."

Despite these challenges, Zelensky remains committed to securing international support for Ukraine. His visit to the Philippines included the announcement of a new Ukrainian embassy in Manila, a move welcomed by Marcos as it would facilitate more assistance to Ukraine.

With the peace summit approaching, the participation of key countries remains uncertain. Zelensky's efforts highlight the complexities of international diplomacy in the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Key Takeaways

• Ukrainian President Zelensky's Asia tour faces challenges in rallying support for a peace summit on Ukraine.
• China is unlikely to attend the summit, citing concerns over Ukraine's accusations of China's support for Russia.
• Zelensky accuses Russia of using Chinese influence to dissuade countries from attending the summit.
• The peace summit aims to address nuclear security, food security, and prisoner releases, among other issues.
• Zelensky remains committed to securing international support for Ukraine despite challenges.