Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused China of sabotaging a peace summit organized by Switzerland, alleging that China is using its influence to deter other nations from attending. Zelensky made the statement at a news conference in Singapore on June 2, 2024. Meanwhile, China has denied these claims, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning asserting that China’s position is open and transparent and dismissing accusations of pressuring other countries.

During the same period, Ukraine’s efforts to counter Russian military actions continue. Italy announced it will send a second Samp/T air defense system to Ukraine. Additionally, US President Joe Biden has given Ukraine permission to carry out limited strikes with US-supplied weapons on Russian territory, specifically around Kharkiv. Ukrainian officials reported a successful hit on a Russian S-300 missile system within Russian territory.

US Vice President Kamala Harris will attend the peace summit in Switzerland on June 15, alongside National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, though President Biden will not be present. Ukraine continues to urge its allies to lift restrictions on using Western weapons against targets inside Russia, emphasizing the importance of these systems in defending against Russian strikes.

In other developments, intelligence reports indicate that Chinese components are found in Russian weaponry, although there is no direct evidence of China supplying arms to Russia. Poland has arrested 18 individuals accused of pro-Russian and pro-Belarusian activities, including a plot against President Zelensky. Additionally, a rare protest took place outside Russia’s defense ministry, with women demanding the return of their mobilized relatives from Ukraine.