Zelensky arrives in Singapore for security conference

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Singapore on June 1, 2024, for the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference. (President Volodymyr Zelensky/X)

President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Singapore on June 1 for the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference and meetings with high-ranking foreign officials.

"In Singapore, I will address the conference and hold a number of meetings, particularly with Singapore’s President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Timor-Leste's President Jose Ramos-Horta, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and Singaporean investors," Zelensky said on X.

The president arrived in the Asian country just one day after his visit to Stockholm for the third Nordic-Ukrainian summit.

Security assistance for Ukraine is expected to be one of the key issues discussed at this year's conference, which is organized annually by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), an independent think tank.

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun is also scheduled to join the event.

"Global security is impossible when the world's largest country disregards recognized borders, international law, and the UN Charter, resorts to hunger, darkness, and nuclear blackmail," Zelensky said.

"Restoring just peace for Ukraine and ensuring global food and nuclear security will be the aims of the global peace summit in the Burgenstock resort in Switzerland. And this is why the Asia-Pacific voice must be heard there."

The peace summit will be held on June 15 and 16 in Switzerland, with some 100 nations and organizations confirming their attendance. Russia was not invited to join the conference, and China has also signaled it would not attend.

Read also: China won’t attend Ukraine’s global peace summit, Reuters reports