UKRAINE UPDATES — Zelenskyy urges support for upcoming peace summit during address in Singapore. DW has the latest

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke  at Singapore's Shangri-La Dialogue on Sunday, urging participants there to come to an upcoming summit in Switzerland aimed at ending the Russian invasion of his country.

He made a surprise visit to Singapore for the summit on Saturday.

Zelenskyy also met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of the meeting to discuss the battlefield situation in Ukraine.

Here's a look at the latest developments regarding Russia's war on Ukraine on Sunday, June 2

06/02/2024June 2, 2024

Zelenskyy urges defense officials to attend Switzerland peace conference

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has spoken at the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference in Singapore, pressing defense officials there to go to an upcoming conference in Switzerland on ending Russia's war on Ukraine.

In his address, Zelenskyy said he was "disappointed" that some world leaders had yet to confirm they would attend the conference, which is to take place in about two weeks' time.

He did not mention any specific countries, but China, considered a key player as Russia's most important ally, has so far not said it will be at the conference.

Zelenskyy said that more than 100 countries and organizations had confirmed their participation in the meeting.

He also thanked countries, including Germany, the US and the Netherlands, for their military aid, particularly air defense systems, saying "no country could
handle this alone".in view of the intensity of Russian attacks like one on Sunday with nearly100 missiles.
 

06/02/2024June 2, 2024

US defense secretary reaffirms Ukraine support: Pentagon official

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has "reaffirmed the US commitment to maintaining the strong support" to Ukraine during a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a Singapore security conference, a Pentagon official has said.

"The two leaders pledged to further strengthen the strategic defense partnership between the United States and Ukraine," the official said in comments carried by Reuters news agency.

The official was speaking on condition of anonymity.

For his part, Zelenskyy spoke of a "very good" meeting without giving details of what was discussed.

Zelenskyy met with Austin on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, a major security forum attended by defense officials from around the world, where the Ukrainian president is seeking to rally support for Kyiv as Russia gains ground in a new offensive

The meeting came a few days after Washington decided to partially lift restrictions on using US-provided weapons to strike inside Russia. 

06/02/2024June 2, 2024

Zelenskyy to address Singapore's Shangri-La Dialogue

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to speak at Singapore's Shangri-La Dialogue on Sunday.

He will be talking about "Re-Imagining Solutions for Global Peace and Regional Stability" at the security summit's final discussion session.

On Saturday, the Ukrainian president had made a surprise visit to Singapore for the summit.

He met Indonesia's president-elect, Prabowo Subianto; a delegation from the US Congress; and the president of Timor-Leste, Jose Ramos-Horta at the sidelines of the discussion.

Zelenskyy is seeking support for a peace summit in Switzerland scheduled for June 15-16.

"It is very important for us to begin the process of establishing a just peace," Zelenskyy said on social media platform X. "Russia does not want to end the war. Therefore, we must work together with the entire world to bring peace closer."

Zelenskyy's visit comes as Ukraine faces a renewed offensive from Russian forces, especially in the northeastern region around Kharkiv.

Zelenskyy and his defence minister, Rustem Umerov, will also meet US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Sunday on the sidelines of the conference, a US defense official confirmed to Reuters news agency.

They will discuss the current battlefield situation in Ukraine, following the recent US decision to ease restrictions on Ukraine's ability to strike targets inside Russia using weapons supplied by Washington.

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun reiterated China's stance of promoting peace talks without providing weapons to either side.

According to media reports, Zelenskyy will meet the Chinese defense minister to secure China's participation in the Swiss peace talks.

Russia has not been a part of the summit since the Ukraine war began in 2022.

The Shangri-La Dialogue, organized by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, concludes on Sunday.

ss/wd (Reuters, dpa)