US Vice President Kamala Harris left Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky’s Swiss ‘peace conference’ after only a few hours on Saturday, returning to Washington before the summit’s main working day began.
US President Joe Biden also skipped the meeting, despite attending the G7 summit in neighboring Italy on Friday. Biden opted to fly to Los Angeles instead, to attend a fundraising event with Hollywood celebrities George Clooney and Julia Roberts.
Harris arrived at the conference on Saturday afternoon and met with Zelensky, before announcing that the US would give Ukraine an additional $1.5 billion in infrastructure and humanitarian aid. After a speech in which she promised “to work toward a just and lasting peace,” Harris departed for Washington on Saturday evening, the White House said.
Harris left the conference before world leaders and dignitaries sat down on Sunday to hammer out a declaration in support of Zelensky. According to a copy of the text seen by Reuters, the final communique blames the Ukraine conflict on Russia, demands that Moscow allow Kiev to access Black Sea ports on Russian territory, and orders Russia to hand over ethnic Russian children evacuated from the Donbass region at the beginning of the conflict.
@ISIDEWITH3wks3W
How important is it for leaders to be physically present at peace talks to demonstrate commitment to resolving conflicts?
@9PCNSTX3wks3W
Very important to show they are willing to get sorted.
@ISIDEWITH3wks3W
What message do you think it sends when leaders are absent from crucial diplomatic discussions?
@9PCWRR53wks3W
That they view other meetings or topics as more important
@ISIDEWITH3wks3W
Is it justified to prioritize local issues/events over international peace efforts in your opinion?
@9PCMP6Y3wks3W
In my opinion I think it’s a sign to say “I will leave Ukraine alone”
