Vice President Kamala Harris will represent the United States at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, taking place in Switzerland on June 15th. Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, will join Harris as part of the U.S. delegation. Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs said on X it was “pleased with the participation of” Harris for the upcoming summit.
According to the White House, Harris is expected to highlight the U.S. commitment to “supporting Ukraine’s effort to secure a just and lasting peace,” at the international peace summit at Burgenstock Resort in Lucerne, Switzerland, which the White House says is “based on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and the principles of the U.N. Charter.” Harris’ communications director, Kirsten Allen said in a statement: “The Vice President will also reaffirm support for the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves against ongoing Russian aggression.”
The summit will immediately follow the 50th G7 summit that is set to take place in Borgo Egnazia in Italy’s southern Puglia region between June 13 and 15. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously urged President Joe Biden to personally visit Switzerland on behalf on the U.S., saying last month:”I believe that the peace summit needs President Biden, and other leaders need President Biden because they will look at the U.S.’s reaction.”
National Security Communications Adviser John Kirby defended Biden’s reason not to attend the June 15 summit; asked Monday if the president was sending the wrong message globally by forgoing the peace summit to attend a California fundraiser, 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.” Kirby added that “No matter who represents the United States at this summit, it can’t be said that the United States has in any way walked away from supporting Ukraine.”
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