WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris will represent the U.S. at this month’s Swiss-organized global peace summit on the war in Ukraine, an event promoted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The White House said Harris would attend the meeting in Lucerne on June 15. President Joe Biden is scheduled to be at a campaign fundraiser in Los Angeles hosted by actors George Clooney and Julia Roberts.
“The Vice President 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 U.N. charter, said her communications director, Kirsten Allen. She said Harris will also “reaffirm support for the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against ongoing Russian aggression.”
Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, will join Harris as part of the U.S. delegation.
Zelenskyy has heavily boosted the summit and encouraged world leaders to attend, even as he’s accused Russia, with China’s help, of trying to undermine the meeting.
Asked Monday if the president was sending the wrong message globally by forgoing the peace summit to attend a glitzy California fundraiser, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said “there hasn’t been any single leader around the world who has supported Ukraine more and more stridently than Joe Biden.”
He said Harris will be attending the summit “because of our desire to be represented around that table” and her presence will help demonstrate that “Ukraine has no stronger backer than the United States.”
“No matter who represents the United States at this summit,” Kirby said during a virtual briefing with reporters, “It can’t be said that the United States has in any way walked away from supporting Ukraine.”
Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the United States, is set to attend a Swiss ‘Peace Summit’ for Ukraine as the US representative. The summit, organized by the Swiss government, aims to bring together key stakeholders from around the world to discuss and find solutions to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Harris’s attendance at the summit underscores the United States’ commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Ukraine. The conflict, which began in 2014, has resulted in thousands of deaths and has displaced millions of people. The summit provides an opportunity for world leaders to come together and work towards a peaceful resolution that respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
As the US representative, Harris will have the opportunity to engage with other world leaders and diplomats to discuss potential solutions to the conflict. This includes exploring diplomatic options, supporting peace negotiations, and providing humanitarian assistance to those affected by the conflict.
Harris’s presence at the summit also highlights the importance of multilateral cooperation in addressing global conflicts. By working together with other countries and international organizations, the United States can leverage its influence and resources to help bring about a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Ukraine.
In addition to attending the summit, Harris is expected to meet with Ukrainian officials and civil society representatives to discuss ways in which the United States can support efforts to end the conflict and promote stability in the region. This includes providing economic assistance, supporting democratic reforms, and advocating for human rights and the rule of law.
Overall, Harris’s participation in the Swiss ‘Peace Summit’ for Ukraine demonstrates the United States’ commitment to promoting peace and security in the region. By engaging with other world leaders and stakeholders, Harris can help advance efforts to find a lasting and sustainable solution to the conflict in Ukraine.
