Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking from Kharkiv, called on world leaders to join forces to counter Russian aggression and help Ukraine with more air defense capabilities. The statement was recorded in a war-torn city that is being pummeled by Russian missiles and bombs on a daily basis. Zelensky emphasized critical importance of leaders’ participation in the Global Peace Summit scheduled to be held in Switzerland on June 15-16.
“I am now in Kharkiv – a city in the east of Ukraine and, unfortunately, very close to the border of Russia. What does it mean for Kharkiv? A third year of constant terror. More than a million of people in this city. And every night and every day the Russian army is shelling the city. Mostly with S-300 missiles. These are air defense missiles that Russia employs to terrorize the land. There is not a single district or street in Kharkiv that hasn’t suffered from this regular cruelty. Russia added strikes with guided aerial bombs.
Russian aviation comes close to our state border and launches these bombs straight on the city – it is a weapon of indiscriminate destruction. And anyone in any city of the world – from São Paulo to Harbin takes this the same way – as terror. Just like all other Russian strikes on hundreds of other of our cities and villages. Some of them, once booming with life, are now burnt to ashes, peopleless. A burnt-out emptiness is the most horrible consequence of war… A war that we didn’t want in Ukraine, that we haven’t provoked, and in which Ukraine is defending itself from Russian attempts to seize our resources and territories and destroy our national identity. And the world sees it,” Zelensky said.
According to the president, this is why a Global Peace Summit is needed with the participation of leaders whom Russia will not be able to deceive.
“Summit that will show who in the world really wants to end the war and not just claim the ceasefire which will inevitably be broken by Russian rockets and artillery just like it was dozens, dozens of times before…” Zelensky said.
Ukraine, together with Switzerland, is preparing the Peace Summit on June 15. More than 80 countries have already confirmed their participation.
“I thank everyone who really helps to bring the peace. And I am appealing to the leaders of the world who are still aside from the global efforts of the Global Peace Summit – to President Biden, the leader of the United States, and to President Xi, the leader of China. We do not want the UN Charter to be burnt… burnt down just like these books. And I hope you don’t want either. Please, show your leadership in advancing the peace – the real peace and not just a pause between the strikes. The efforts of the global majority are the best guarantee that all commitments will be fulfilled. Please support the Peace Summit with your personal leadership and participation. For all of us, it should be a pleasure to make peace,” Zelensky added.
It should be recalled that on May 25, Russia hit a home improvement hypermarket in Kharkiv. Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the scene, to address world leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The purpose of his appeal is to call for their personal participation in the Global Peace Summit to stop Russia’s terror.
Zelensky also explained that Russia would not be invited to avoid disruption of the peace process on its part. He stressed that the initiative for a peace summit cannot be handed over to Russia.
Meanwhile, China has not yet made a decision regarding its participation.
Commenting on the possible participation of U.S. President Joe Biden, White House spokesman Jake Sullivan said he could not yet confirm this but stressed that the United States was engaged in preparations for the event.