Zelensky invites Biden and Xi to attend Ukraine peace summit

The Ukrainian leader made the request in English in an emotive video showing him standing in front of ruins in the heavily bombarded eastern city of Kharkiv.
"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," Zelensky said.
"Please support the peace summit with your personal leadership and participation," he asked.
Zelensky said that the leaders should attend because "the efforts of the global majority are the best guarantee that all commitments will befulfilled".
He also said he wanted the attendance of leaders "whom Russia will not be able to deceive". The conference on the Ukraine war is to be held at a luxury resort near Lucerne from June 15-16, reports BSS.
The Swiss government is hosting the event at Ukraine's request.
It has said it has invited 160 delegations but Russia will not attend theevent, which is expected to last just over a day. Biden's presence has not been confirmed, while organisers say countriesparticipating include members of the G7, the G20 and the BRICS group.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said earlier this month "they are notinviting us", adding that Russia would not push to attend an event where itis unwelcome.
China restated its position this week, saying in a joint statement withBrazil that it supports "an international peace conference held at a propertime that is recognised by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participationof all parties as well as fair discussion of all peace plans". Xi is Putin's strategic ally, and the Russian leader made a trip to Chinaafter re-election this month.
US officials said last month that Beijing is helping Russia with militaryexpansion, including joint production of drones, while stopping short ofdirectly providing weapons to Russia for use in Ukraine.
Zelensky said "more than 80 countries confirmed they will come" to the summitand Ukraine was continuing efforts to invite leaders.