Russia amasses troops near Kharkiv as Zelensky calls for global peace summit

In a speech to world leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, "close to our border, the Russian Federation is gathering another group of troops and is preparing to attempt an offensive 90 km from Kharkiv to the northwest."

- I am now in Kharkiv. It is a city in eastern Ukraine and, unfortunately, very close to the Russian border. What does this mean for Kharkiv? Third year of constant terror. More than a million people in this city. And every night, every day, the Russian army shelled the city. Especially with the S-300 missiles. These are anti-aircraft missiles used by Russia to terrorize the earth. Now in Kharkiv there is not a single district of the city and not a single street that does not suffer from this constant bullying, - said Zelensky.

- The only source of aggression is Russia, which constantly tries to extend the war. Right now, one day, we are defending ourselves 60 kilometres northeast of this place against another attempt of a Russian offensive - he emphasized.

The President of Ukraine reported that Russia is preparing to launch offensive actions.

- Close to our border, the Russian Federation is gathering another group of troops and is preparing to attempt an offensive 90 km from Kharkiv to the northwest - the Ukrainian leader continued.

Zelensky said that Russia does not want dialogue. Ukraine has the world's greatest experience of being deceived by Russia in negotiations. Deception, which in particular was a cover for Russia preparing for this war.

The Ukrainian president emphasized that the most dreadful consequence of the war is a burned emptiness. - A war that we in Ukraine did not want. And which we did not provoke. And in which Ukraine defends itself against Russia's attempt to seize our resources and territories and destroy our national identity. And the world sees it, - the Ukrainian leader spoke.

According to Zelensky, a global effort is needed – a peace summit involving leaders whom Russia cannot deceive. A summit that will show who in the world wants to end the war and not just pause it with a ceasefire that will undoubtedly be violated by Russian missiles and artillery, as has happened dozens of times before.

- I am addressing the world leaders who are still on the sidelines of the global effort to prepare for the Peace Summit. To President Biden, Leader of the United States. To President Xi, the leader of China. We do not want the UN Charter to burn - to burn in the same way as these books. And I hope you don't either. Please show your leadership in establishing peace - real peace, not a pause between strikes. The efforts of the majority in the world are the best guarantee for the fulfillment of obligations. Please support the Peace Summit with your personal leadership and participation. It will be a pleasure for all of us to establish peace" - Zelensky appealed.

On Friday, Bloomberg reported that Biden is unlikely to participate in the peace summit in Switzerland, as the date conflicts with a presidential campaign event in California.

Kyiv has already expressed disappointment with the Chinese side's expected absence in Switzerland, which is seen as a key player in negotiations with Russia. China and other countries of the so-called global South expected that Vladimir Putin would receive an invitation to the conference. However, Ukraine and its allies do not want to cooperate with Moscow until any preliminary principles of a future peace agreement are established.