Irish PM Harris to participate in Ukrainian Peace Summit

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced this on the social network X.

“Ireland's neutrality does not imply disregard for justice and the restoration of peace. During our call, Ireland's Taoiseach Simon Harris confirmed his participation in the Peace Summit,” Zelenskyy wrote.

He also said that he had discussed with the Irish prime minister the prospects for cooperation in the field of demining and agreed to start work on a bilateral security agreement as soon as possible within the framework of the G7 Vilnius Declaration. Zelenskyy also thanked Ireland for its humanitarian and logistical assistance to Ukraine.

Leaders of several states confirmed their participation in the Peace Summit

According to the President's Office, following phone conversations with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Prime Ministers of Denmark and the Netherlands Mette Frederiksen and Mark Rutte, and Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović-Burić confirmed their participation in the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland on June 15-16.

During the conversations, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about the combined strike that Russia launched against civilian targets in Ukraine last night, as well as the Frontline situation. They also discussed Kyiv's urgent need to strengthen its air defense. In particular, the president thanked the countries for helping Ukraine to find and supply air defense systems.

The parties also discussed the continuation of defense cooperation between the two countries, preparations for the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2024) and its content with specific agreements.

The Prime Minister of Denmark discussed joint work with partners on the supply of ammunition, strengthening Ukraine's energy sector, and solutions that would help speed up the delivery of F-16 aircraft to Ukraine.

In a conversation with Mark Rutte, Zelenskyy noted the additional military assistance of the Netherlands worth €1 billion and discussed further defense cooperation.

Zelenskyy thanked Marija Pejčinović-Burić for opening the office of the Register of Damages in Kyiv and welcomed the effective steps taken by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe towards the establishment of a special tribunal for the crime of Russian aggression.

Peace Summit: details and features of the event

On February 26, Switzerland announced its intention to hold a summit on peace in Ukraine by the summer. The Kremlin says that organizing such an event without Russia is "not serious and even ridiculous."

On March 18, Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland Wang Shi-Ting said that China is considering participating in a peace summit organized by Switzerland at Ukraine's request.

On May 2, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said that Russia should participate in the Peace Summit, as "a peace process without Russia is unthinkable." However, Moscow was not invited to the event this year.

On the same day, Ukrainian President Zelensky said that the summit would be the first real chance to restore peace.

The Peace Summit will develop a common negotiating position for Ukraine, which will be passed on to Russia's top leadership, Ukrainian presidential spokesman Serhii Nykyforov said.

Swiss President Viola Amherd said that she had invited Pope Francis to the Global Peace Summit to be held on June 15 and 16 in Burgenstock.

On May 7, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy personally invited the leaders of Belgium, Spain, Latvia, and Finland to the Global Peace Summit.