Why does Biden not want to go?
President Joe Biden has decided to send Vice President Kamala Harris to attend the upcoming Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, declining Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s request for his personal attendance. This decision coincides with Biden’s planned appearance at a high-profile Hollywood fundraiser featuring actor George Clooney.
Kirsten Allen, spokesperson for Harris, announced on Monday that the Vice President will be traveling to Lucerne, Switzerland, on June 15 to take part in the Summit on Peace in Ukraine. Allen emphasized that Harris will reaffirm the Biden-Harris Administration’s dedication to supporting Ukraine’s quest for a just and lasting peace, which respects Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the principles of the United Nations Charter.
Joining Harris will be National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, indicating that President Biden, at 81, will not be present at the conference. This decision follows Biden’s dismissal of a reporter’s inquiry regarding Zelensky’s appeal for him to attend. Bloomberg News had previously reported that Biden’s schedule would likely not allow for a European trip due to the Hollywood event, which is also expected to include actress Julia Roberts and former President Barack Obama.
Zelensky had urged Biden to prioritize the summit over the fundraiser, arguing that Russian President Vladimir Putin would be pleased by the U.S. president’s absence. “Putin would personally applaud Biden not attending, giving a standing ovation,” Zelensky remarked last week.
Although Biden is scheduled to be in Europe to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day and participate in the G7 summit in southern Italy from June 13-15, there is speculation that he might either detour to Switzerland or arrange a meeting with Zelensky elsewhere.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine began in February 2022, shortly after Biden sent Harris to the annual Munich Security Conference in Germany. There, Harris warned Putin against invading Ukraine, cautioning that such an action would trigger swift and severe economic repercussions.
In the political arena, former President Donald Trump has pledged to personally negotiate an end to the Russia-Ukraine conflict if he prevails over Biden in the upcoming presidential election on November 5.
