Zelenskiy: Biden missing Ukraine talks would be 'applause' for Putin

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy arrives for a meeting with the Belgian Prime Minister to sign a bilateral security accord in Brussels, Belgium, May 28, 2024. KENZO TRIBOUILLARD/Pool via REUTERS

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday that if U.S. President Joe Biden missed a peace summit organised by Kyiv in Switzerland next month, it would be like a standing ovation for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukraine hopes to host as many countries as possible in an attempt to unite opinion on how to halt the war and pile pressure on Russia, which has seized almost a fifth of Ukraine's territory. Washington has signalled support but has not said whether Biden will attend.