Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made a fervent appeal to world leaders, urging them to attend the Swiss peace summit next month. This plea follows a devastating Russian attack on a Kharkiv DIY hypermarket that killed at least 14 people and injured dozens.
In a video message, Zelenskiy specifically called on U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping to participate in the summit, scheduled to begin on June 15 in Switzerland. “Show your leadership in advancing real peace, not just a pause between strikes,” he said.
Biden has not confirmed his attendance, and negotiations are ongoing regarding China’s participation, according to Zelenskiy’s aide Mykhailo Podolyak.
The deadly strike on the Kharkiv hypermarket capped a week of relentless Russian missile and air attacks on the city, targeting a printing house, residential areas, and a central park. Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov described the attack as terrorism, noting that about 120 people were in the store at the time.
Prosecutors reported that 14 people were killed, 10 of whom are yet to be identified, and 43 were injured. Additionally, 16 people are missing after the strike. A separate missile hit a residential building, injuring 18 more.
Kharkiv, close to the Russian border, has suffered daily strikes, making life increasingly dangerous for its residents. Ukrainian officials stress the need for improved air defense systems and F16 fighter jets to protect the city. Recent Russian offensives in the Kharkiv region, particularly around Vovchansk, have displaced thousands.
Russia claims its attacks are creating a “buffer zone” to protect its border regions from Ukrainian strikes. Saturday’s attack targeted a busy suburban shopping complex. Witnesses described chaotic scenes as the strike sparked a fire, sending dark smoke billowing into the sky.
Zelenskiy stated that over 80 countries have confirmed their attendance at the Swiss summit. Russia, not invited, has dismissed the event as pointless. The summit aims to build a coalition urging Moscow to end the war, focusing on engaging neutral global south countries.
Podolyak mentioned that Zelenskiy has been reaching out to leaders in Africa, Latin America, and the Pacific region to secure their participation. Despite Ukraine’s efforts, China is seen as unlikely to attend, though Ukrainian diplomats are striving to involve Beijing.
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