China ignored the Peace Summit in Switzerland, which was attended by more than 100 countries and organizations. Dozens of nations were represented by leaders or government members.
Jake Sullivan, an adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden, suggested that China's absence was due to Putin's request. Beijing said any peace process "requires the participation of Russia and Ukraine," putting forward its ideas for peace.
China declined the invitation to the summit because the conditions it put forward were not met: the participation of both Russia and Ukraine in the talks. Beijing emphasized the need for direct dialogue between the conflicting sides.
"Obviously China is not here, and I assume they are not here because Putin asked them not to come and they did a favor for Putin. And I think that speaks volumes about China's position on the war," Sullivan said. He added that the countries present should "pay attention to that."
Dictator Putin called the summit in Switzerland a "ploy" to divert attention and the appearance of "legitimacy of the current Ukrainian government." He said it was impossible to reach a peaceful solution without Russian participation.
The summit discussed three of the ten points of Zelensky's "peace formula": nuclear and food security, the exchange of prisoners of war, and the return of Ukrainian children from Russia. The aggressor's delegation was not invited.
