Vice President Kamala Harris reaffirmed the United States' support for Ukraine, as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sought to rally global support for a path to peace during a summit held in Switzerland Saturday. More than 100 countries and delegations convened at a rural mountaintop resort overlooking a lake outside of Lucerne for the discussions. “This is a tremendous success, our success, the common success of all those who believe a united world, united nations are stronger than any aggressor,” Zelenskyy declared to leaders.
Zelenskyy lauded the number of participants, noting delegations from across regions, an important signal regional experts pointed to for the meeting. “We have managed to avoid one of the most terrible things, namely the division of the world into opposing blocs,” he said. Europe While leaders put a stake in the message sent by the scope of attendance, the summit did not aim to serve as a negotiation but as a forum for a foundation for potential ones in the future.
“It is a critical step in a process that can ultimately lead to negotiations,” said national security adviser Jake Sullivan. However, the absence of Russia loomed over the summit, as some foreign leaders nodded to it, underscoring varying views among some countries. Particularly leaders of Turkey and Saudi Arabia, who pointed to a need for Russia’s eventual participation.
“We are all aware that a peace process without Russia is inconceivable. A lasting solution must involve both.
