President Joe Biden has chosen to participate in a Hollywood fundraiser rather than attend a crucial peace summit in Switzerland.
The New York Post reported that Vice President Kamala Harris will represent the United States at the Switzerland conference on Ukrainian peace.
Vice President Harris is scheduled to attend the Summit on Peace in Ukraine in Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 15. This event occurs concurrently with President Biden's presence at a star-studded fundraiser hosted by George Clooney, which will also include celebrities like Julia Roberts and former President Barack Obama.
President Biden's decision to skip the Ukraine peace conference has been met with concern from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Zelensky criticized the decision, suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin would be pleased, potentially seeing it as a sign of weakened international resolve against Russian aggression.
According to Kirsten Allen, spokesperson for Vice President Harris:
Vice President Kamala Harris will travel to Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 15 to participate in the Summit on Peace in Ukraine. [Harris] will underscore the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to supporting Ukraine’s effort to secure a just and lasting peace, based on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the principles of the UN Charter.
This marks a significant diplomatic juncture, as the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine persist with recent clashes near Bakhmut and continued shelling across Donetsk. These conflicts underscore the urgent need for effective peace negotiations and international solidarity.
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan will accompany Vice President Harris, further emphasizing the significance the U.S. places on this summit. This diplomatic mission is part of broader U.S. efforts to support Ukraine, as previously shown when Harris warned of severe economic repercussions for Russian aggression in her 2022 speech in Germany.
During her upcoming address in Lucerne, Vice President Harris is expected to reaffirm the U.S. position on Ukraine's sovereignty as aligned with the principles of the United Nations Charter. The Biden-Harris administration remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting Ukraine's integrity and peace efforts.
The international response to the Ukraine crisis will also be a topic of concern at the upcoming G7 summit, which President Biden will attend in southern Italy from June 13-15. These back-to-back diplomatic events are critical for coordinating international strategies and responses to the continuing aggression from Russia.
President Zelensky's statements reflect a broader concern about international engagement and commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty. He highlighted the potential diplomatic fallout of President Biden's absence at the conference, emphasizing that it "would only be applauded by Putin, personally applauded by Putin, and it would be a standing ovation."
In her upcoming remarks, Vice President Harris is expected to reiterate her previous warnings about the consequences of aggression, emphasizing the importance of international unity and economic sanctions against Russia. Her involvement underscores robust U.S. support for Ukraine and provides reassurance, especially in light of criticisms regarding President Biden's absence.
In conclusion, while President Biden attends a high-profile fundraiser, Vice President Harris's involvement in the Ukraine peace summit aims to solidify the international stance against Russian aggression and to support Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Amidst ongoing conflicts and diplomatic challenges, the U.S. seeks to maintain its leadership role on the global stage, advocating for peace and stability in Eastern Europe.
