In Singapore, Ukraine’s President held a “very good” meeting with US Defence Secretary and accused China of pressuring other countries not to participate in the upcoming peace talks on Ukraine, AP News reported.
Accusations against China
During a speech at a major Asian security conference, the Ukrainian president said that China is pressurising other countries and their leaders not to attend the upcoming talks. Despite, he did not say which ones.
“Russia, using Chinese influence in the region, using Chinese diplomats also, does everything to disrupt the peace summit. (…) Regrettably this is unfortunate that such a big independent powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of (Russian leader Vladimir) Putin,” he said at a news conference at the Shangri-La defence forum.
Earlier in the day, he urged senior Chinese defence ministry officials to attend the upcoming summit. However, Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun was not present in the room when the Ukrainian president delivered his address.
Dong spoke at the Shangri-La conference earlier the same day. He did not specifically mention the Switzerland meetings in his address to the forum, but did say “on the Ukraine crisis, China has been promoting peace talks with a responsible attitude.”
Initially, China has taken a neutral stance on the conflict in Ukraine, which has led to disagreements with Kyiv, Washington and many European countries. In addition, trade with Russia has increased, which has lessened the economic impact of Western sanctions.
US, Ukrainian and other intelligence agencies say there is evidence of Chinese parts getting into Russian weapons, but there is still no proof. However, Dong stressed that China has not provided weapons to either side of the conflict: “We have never done anything to fan the flames. We stand firmly on the side of peace and dialogue.”
Regional leaders to attend Swiss summit?
The Ukrainian president said that Ukraine would bring proposals to the summit as a basis for peace, concerning nuclear security, food security, the release of prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia. According to him, Ukraine is also “ready to hear various proposals and thoughts that lead us … to an end of the war and a sustainable and just peace.”
In addition, he plans to meet one-on-one with the Prime Minister of Singapore and urge him to personally participate in the talks on Switzerland. He appealed to countries in the region, saying that the more countries that join the Swiss talks, the more likely Moscow will be forced to listen:
“We truly count on you supporting this summit, and that you will be present in Switzerland. (…) The global majority can ensure with their involvement that what is agreed upon is truly implemented.”
Meanwhile, Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen could not confirm whether his country’s leaders would attend the Swiss conference.
From Singapore, Zelensky may travel to Manila to personally invite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the summit, two senior Philippine government officials said. Ukrainian officials have notified the Philippines of Zelensky’s intention to go. Despite, officials have not confirmed the visit, as the Ukrainian president’s travel plans are constantly changing.
Zelensky may travel from Singapore to Manila to personally invite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the summit, two senior Philippine government officials said. Ukrainian officials have notified the Philippines of Zelensky’s intention to go. Despite, officials have not confirmed the visit, as the Ukrainian president’s travel plans are constantly changing.
Meeting with US Secretary of Defence
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin sat in the front row during Zelensky’s speech. Аfterwards they met for talks on further support for Ukraine against the backdrop of advancing Russian troops.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, a major security forum attended by defence ministry officials from around the world. It comes after Washington decided to partially lift restrictions on the use of US-provided weapons to strike Russia.
In response to a question from journalists about the meeting as he left the room, the Ukrainian president said that it had been “very good.”
Austin made no comment. However, a US official travelling with Austin told AFP news agency that the pair met to “discuss the current battlefield situation in Ukraine and to underscore US commitment to ensuring Ukraine has what it needs to defend itself against ongoing Russian aggression.”
