As a substitute, Biden seems set to attend a Hollywood fundraising occasion deliberate for the summit weekend.
“The Vice President will underscore the Biden-Harris Administration’s dedication to supporting Ukraine’s effort to safe a simply and lasting peace, primarily based on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the rules of the U.N. Constitution,” the White Home mentioned.
Ukraine has already secured guarantees from greater than 100 international locations to attend, in response to Zelenskyy’s workplace, though some key states, together with China, refused to come back, citing the absence of a consultant from Russia in the course of the summit.
Zelenskyy criticized Beijing for skipping the occasion, saying it was serving to Russia derail peace efforts.
“I consider that the peace summit wants President Biden, and different leaders want President Biden as a result of they are going to have a look at the U.S.’s response,” Zelenskyy mentioned at a press convention in Brussels final week.
The U.S. president’s absence “would solely be met by an applause by Putin — a private, standing applause,” he added.
