Zelenskyy Aims for Second Peace Summit with Representatives of Russia Involved

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy anticipates hosting a second peace summit in November and expects Russia to participate, he stated during a press conference in Kyiv on July 15.

The first Summit on Peace for Ukraine held in Switzerland last month, which involved representatives from over 90 countries with Russia not invited. Many of these nations, including China, which did not attend the Swiss meeting, have long advocated for Moscow's inclusion.

Zelenskyy mentioned that at the end of July or beginning of August, the first meeting of security advisors concerning the outcomes of the initial Summit on Peace for Ukraine in Switzerland will occur. He added that the inaugural meeting will likely take place in Qatar and will focus on energy security.

In August, there will be a meeting in Turkey addressing freedom of navigation and food security issues, while September will see talks in Canada focusing on humanitarian matters, including prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of children, according to Zelenskyy.

"After these three points, if they prove successful, we will have a fully prepared plan for their implementation. I have set the goal for us to have a fully prepared plan by November, hence the summit, most likely," the President declared.

Zelenskyy also emphasized that he believes "representatives of Russia should participate in the second summit."

Earlier in July, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated that Russia won’t attend the summit, even though no formal invitation has been issued yet. Galuzin characterized Ukraine's efforts to push forward "Zelenskyy's formula" as "ultimately futile" and criticized “the deliberate disregard for alternative initiatives to resolve the Ukrainian crisis.”