THE ASEAN DAILY

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

    What's Hot

    Bangkok SAO collapse: One body and remains of seven unearthed

    April 30, 2025

    Japan and Philippines forge ‘golden age’ of ties with strategic, humanitarian, and economic agreements

    April 30, 2025

    Thailand PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra addresses construction safety after SAO collapse

    April 1, 2025
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Breaking News :
    • Bangkok SAO collapse: One body and remains of seven unearthed
    • Japan and Philippines forge ‘golden age’ of ties with strategic, humanitarian, and economic agreements
    • Thailand PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra addresses construction safety after SAO collapse
    • Petronas gas pipeline explosion sparks massive blaze in Selangor
    • Kim Soo-hyun breaks silence on Kim Sae-ron allegations, denies dating her as a minor
    • Antipolo road rage turns deadly: Three shot in violent traffic dispute
    • Baguio mayor Magalong alleges election fund misuse in 2025 budget, faces death threats
    • ASEAN mobilises aid as Myanmar earthquake death toll rises to 694
    Facebook Twitter Instagram TikTok
    THE ASEAN DAILYTHE ASEAN DAILY
    • NEWS
      1. BREAKING NEWS
      2. WORLD
      3. SINGAPORE
      4. BANGKOK
      5. MANILA
      6. JAKARTA
      7. KUALA LUMPUR
      8. HANOI
      9. View All

      Bangkok SAO collapse: One body and remains of seven unearthed

      April 30, 2025

      Japan and Philippines forge ‘golden age’ of ties with strategic, humanitarian, and economic agreements

      April 30, 2025

      Thailand PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra addresses construction safety after SAO collapse

      April 1, 2025

      Petronas gas pipeline explosion sparks massive blaze in Selangor

      April 1, 2025

      Myanmar earthquake claims 694 lives as Mandalay faces devastation

      March 29, 2025

      China deploys H-6 bombers near Scarborough shoal amid US-Philippines talks

      March 28, 2025

      Devastating earthquake hits central Myanmar, shakes Bangkok with collapsing buildings

      March 28, 2025

      Myanmar’s Min Aung Hlaing poised for rare international appearance at BIMSTEC summit

      March 28, 2025

      Singapore hotel tycoon Ong Beng Seng’s guilty plea delayed amid medical review

      March 26, 2025

      Lev Panfilov convicted of rape in landmark Singapore ruling

      March 22, 2025

      Tamil radio host Gunalan Morgan faces legal charges for sexual misconduct and voyeurism

      March 21, 2025

      Scoot expands routes and fleet in 2025 amid Southeast Asia growth push

      March 11, 2025

      Bangkok SAO collapse: One body and remains of seven unearthed

      April 30, 2025

      Thailand PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra addresses construction safety after SAO collapse

      April 1, 2025

      Bangkok earthquake triggers deadly building collapse, dozens feared trapped

      March 28, 2025

      Sky bridge detaches at luxury park origin Thonglor complex, urgent inspections underway

      March 28, 2025

      Japan and Philippines forge ‘golden age’ of ties with strategic, humanitarian, and economic agreements

      April 30, 2025

      Antipolo road rage turns deadly: Three shot in violent traffic dispute

      March 31, 2025

      Baguio mayor Magalong alleges election fund misuse in 2025 budget, faces death threats

      March 29, 2025

      US defence secretary Pete Hegseth visits Manila, reinforcing military ties

      March 28, 2025

      Tempo journalists intimidated with gruesome threats amid government scrutiny

      March 23, 2025

      Mount Lewotobi Laki Laki erupts, forcing flight cancellations and expanding danger zone

      March 22, 2025

      Australian tourist dies in Bali snorkelling tragedy as boat capsizes

      March 22, 2025

      Indonesian soldier arrested over fatal shooting of 3 police officers in cockfighting raid

      March 19, 2025

      Petronas gas pipeline explosion sparks massive blaze in Selangor

      April 1, 2025

      ASEAN mobilises aid as Myanmar earthquake death toll rises to 694

      March 29, 2025

      AirAsia flight AK128 returns to KLIA2 after engine fire scare

      March 27, 2025

      Anwar rejects $10M ransom demand in MAHB cyberattack, vows tougher cybersecurity

      March 26, 2025

      Hanoi ranks among world’s most polluted cities as AQI hits 196

      February 27, 2025

      Knife-wielding man falls to death from gold shop balcony in Dak Lak

      January 25, 2025

      Family tragedy rocks quiet village in Hanoi as 4 found dead, one missing

      January 18, 2025

      Vietnam, Poland strengthen ties with new agreements and community initiatives

      January 17, 2025

      Bangkok SAO collapse: One body and remains of seven unearthed

      April 30, 2025

      Japan and Philippines forge ‘golden age’ of ties with strategic, humanitarian, and economic agreements

      April 30, 2025

      Thailand PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra addresses construction safety after SAO collapse

      April 1, 2025

      Petronas gas pipeline explosion sparks massive blaze in Selangor

      April 1, 2025
    • OPINION

      Balancing free speech and fake news: The Philippines’ tightrope walk on disinformation laws

      March 26, 2025

      Duterte’s ICC arrest sparks asylum rumours as China stays silent

      March 26, 2025

      Myanmar Junta’s grip shrinks to one-fifth of nation as ASEAN pressure mounts

      March 24, 2025

      Former Philippine president apprehended: A legacy of controversy unveiled

      March 11, 2025

      Thailand’s deep South conflict: Two decades of violence, failed policies, and uncertain peace

      February 26, 2025
    • BUSINESS/ FINANCE

      Intel appoints new CEO amid industry challenges and leadership turmoil

      March 14, 2025

      Trump confirms TikTok sale talks with multiple buyers amid US ban threat

      March 11, 2025

      Warren Buffett slams Trump’s new tariffs as “an act of war”

      March 3, 2025

      Hong Kong faces deepest budget deficit in 30 years amid economic struggles

      February 23, 2025

      Nissan reportedly poised to abandon merger talks with Honda amid strategic disagreements

      February 5, 2025
    • ENTERTAINMENT/ LIFESTYLE
      1. VIRAL NEWS
      2. View All

      Ceiling collapse at Johor Bahru’s KSL city mall sparks safety concerns

      March 10, 2025

      Batik Air flight faces mid-air scare as burning power bank triggers smoke alarm

      March 2, 2025

      Elderly woman in Taiwan kept daughter’s body at home for 6 years

      February 28, 2025

      Village dog uncovers 14,000 meth pills in Thailand’s Buri Ram

      February 26, 2025

      Kim Soo-hyun breaks silence on Kim Sae-ron allegations, denies dating her as a minor

      March 31, 2025

      Lady Gaga to rock Singapore with exclusive four-night concert at national stadium

      March 10, 2025

      Ceiling collapse at Johor Bahru’s KSL city mall sparks safety concerns

      March 10, 2025

      Batik Air flight faces mid-air scare as burning power bank triggers smoke alarm

      March 2, 2025
    • SPORTS

      Filipino sensation Alex Eala falls to Pegula in historic Miami open semifinal

      March 28, 2025

      Philippine tennis star Alexandra Eala stuns world No. 2 Iga Swiatek in Miami open shock

      March 27, 2025

      Carlos and Eldrew Yulo chase olympic dreams amidst ongoing family rift

      February 3, 2025

      Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting withdraws from boxing finals amid gender eligibility controversy

      November 27, 2024

      Kunlavut Vitidsarn wins Korea masters 2024, defeats Wang Zheng Xing in straight games

      November 11, 2024
    • TECHNOLOGY
      1. PHONES
      2. GADGETS
      3. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
      4. View All

      Huawei’s Mate XT smartphone draws 3 million pre-orders ahead of iPhone 16 launch

      September 10, 2024

      Apple unveils AI-powered iPhone 16, promising a new era of smart technology

      September 10, 2024

      leaked iPhone 16 pro colour options offer tantalizing glimpse of Apple’s next-gen flagship

      August 2, 2024

      Sony unveils PlayStation 5 Pro: Launch set for 7 November

      September 11, 2024

      Apple unveils latest iPad lineup and accessories at “let loose” event

      May 8, 2024

      Apple Unveils First-Ever Mixed Reality Headset, Taking On Meta In Expanding Market

      June 6, 2023

      Israeli Startup Sightful Unveils Screenless Laptop PC Concept With Augmented Reality Glasses

      May 26, 2023

      DBS bank to trim 4,000 roles as AI takes over human tasks

      February 25, 2025

      DeepSeek bypasses NVIDIA CUDA, achieves tenfold AI efficiency boost

      February 3, 2025

      OpenAI restructures as public benefit corporation to attract major investments

      December 27, 2024

      OpenAI defends for-profit transition against Elon Musk’s legal challenge

      December 14, 2024

      DBS bank to trim 4,000 roles as AI takes over human tasks

      February 25, 2025

      New ‘Astaroth’ phishing kit bypasses 2FA, poses major cybersecurity threat

      February 22, 2025

      DeepSeek bypasses NVIDIA CUDA, achieves tenfold AI efficiency boost

      February 3, 2025

      Meta dismantles fact-checking programme in major shift towards community moderation

      January 8, 2025
    • CRYPTO/ NFT

      Donald Trump Jr. champions crypto as key to U.S. economic dominance at Ondo summit

      February 7, 2025

      Solana’s stablecoin surge hits $10.5B amid Trump-themed memecoin frenzy

      January 25, 2025

      Trump signs executive order to boost Crypto, rejects central bank digital currency

      January 24, 2025

      Malaysia to forge cryptocurrency and blockchain policies after UAE talks

      January 15, 2025

      Bitcoin breaks $100,000 mark amid Trump’s pro-crypto agenda

      December 5, 2024
    THE ASEAN DAILY
    Home » Asian leaders’ absenteeism underscores Zelensky’s uphill battle for global support at Swiss peace summit
    OPINION 5 Mins Read

    Asian leaders’ absenteeism underscores Zelensky’s uphill battle for global support at Swiss peace summit

    June 16, 2024By The ASEAN Daily
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email Telegram
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Reddit Telegram WhatsApp

     

    16-6-2024 (SINGAPORE) Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, one of the few Asian leaders in attendance at the peace summit in Switzerland, issued a clarion call on June 15 for global efforts to achieve “fair and lasting peace” in Ukraine. His plea underscored the challenge facing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in garnering robust international support, especially from Asia, for a conflict often portrayed as an existential crisis for Europe.

    Despite Zelensky’s personal appeal for their leaders’ participation, most Asian countries were represented at the international gathering in Buergenstock not by their heads of state or government, but by ministers, officials, and other representatives. Kishida and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao stood as notable exceptions.

    “Many in Asia see the conflict in Ukraine as far away and not of key concern to them, despite the fact that Russian aggression towards Ukraine affects grain supply and fossil fuel prices,” observed Associate Professor Chong Ja Ian from the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) political science department.

    Dr. Ian Storey, a senior fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, suggested that Russia’s absence might also explain the reluctance of Asian heads of state to attend the summit. “Some states who oppose Russia’s invasion may not send their head of state or government in view of the fact that the summit is unlikely to achieve a major breakthrough, especially given that Russia will not attend,” he said.

    The poor attendance from Asia underscores the uphill battle Zelensky faces in rallying global support for his country in a war that has now dragged on for more than two years and is often framed as an existential crisis for Europe.

    In his speech, Kishida emphasized the importance of global participation at the summit. “Realizing fair and lasting peace in Ukraine would be symbolic and important in order to steer the world to harmony, not to division or confrontation,” he stated.

    “Based on a sense of crisis that what is happening in Ukraine might occur in East Asia tomorrow, Japan has imposed strict sanctions on Russia and provided strong support for Ukraine,” he added.

    Of the 92 countries taking part in the summit, the majority – 57 – were represented by their head of state or head of government. Only eight countries from Asia sent delegates.

    In the lead-up to the summit, Zelensky had embarked on a diplomatic charm offensive in Asia, including an in-person stop at the region’s premier defense summit, the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, in early June. “We want Asia to know what is going on in Ukraine. We want Asia to support the end of the war, and Asian leaders to attend the peace summit,” Zelensky had urged at the dialogue.

    Singapore was represented at the Swiss peace summit by Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and National Development Sim Ann.

    Other Southeast Asian countries in attendance included Thailand and the Philippines, represented by Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs Russ Jalichandra and presidential adviser Carlito Galvez Jr, respectively. Indonesia sent its ambassador to Switzerland, I Gede Ngurah Swajaya, while India dispatched senior diplomat Pavan Kapoor from its Ministry of External Affairs.

    China’s absence was notable, having stated weeks earlier that it would participate only in a peace summit recognized by both Russia and Ukraine. Its no-show was seen by observers as evidence of its pro-Russia tilt, despite its professed neutrality in the conflict.

    Zelensky has alleged that Russia had been using Chinese influence and diplomats to pressure countries in the region against participating in the peace summit.

    However, Senate president and former long-time prime minister Hun Sen stressed that Cambodia’s decision to stay away was in no way influenced by China. “Whether other countries join or not is their right to decide. Please do not try to blame China when Cambodia does not participate in the peace summit, and please stop linking Cambodia to geopolitical games against China,” he wrote in a June 7 Facebook post.

    Other Southeast Asian absentees included Vietnam, Laos, and Malaysia. Professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political science and international relations expert at Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University, suggested that Malaysia’s no-show might signal its prioritization of crises in Gaza and Myanmar. “Malaysia, as ASEAN chair next year, seems to take its own principled stand with a value-based agenda on Gaza and Myanmar,” he said.

    With Ukraine facing a much larger and better-armed neighbor in a brutal war of attrition, the peace conference was viewed as an important event for signaling its continued political and diplomatic support.

    “Zelensky is trying to muster as much support as he can for his country, whether in terms of pushing for an end to the conflict or rebuilding his country after the war,” said NUS’ Prof Chong, adding that any turnout from Asia was a plus for both Ukraine and Zelensky on that front.

    While countries like Singapore and the Philippines have expressed support for Ukraine, Prof Chong noted their ministerial-level representation at the peace conference likely reflected their level of interest, given their perceived limited ability or desire to directly influence developments in Europe.

     

    “At most, the current governments of these states may be looking to shore up existing international rules and institutions while looking to see if there are opportunities to take part in the post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine, whenever that happens,” he added.

    The ASEAN Daily

    The Asean Daily is the leading online news platform providing in-depth coverage and analysis of the latest developments across Southeast Asia.

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Telegram Email Reddit WhatsApp
    Previous ArticleAxe-wielding man shot by German police amid Euro fan festivities
    Next Article Philippine vessel collides with chinese ship in South China sea amid escalating tensions

    Related Posts

    OPINION

    Balancing free speech and fake news: The Philippines’ tightrope walk on disinformation laws

    March 26, 2025
    OPINION

    Duterte’s ICC arrest sparks asylum rumours as China stays silent

    March 26, 2025
    OPINION

    Myanmar Junta’s grip shrinks to one-fifth of nation as ASEAN pressure mounts

    March 24, 2025
    Must READ
    VIRAL NEWS
    3 Mins Read

    Rising Taiwanese AV Star Han Tang Talks Candidly About Her Journey In The Adult Industry

    June 9, 2023By The ASEAN Daily

    10-6-2023 (TAIPEI) Taiwanese AV actress Han Tang, who is just 24 years old, has…

    Bali authorities permanently close controversial ‘Russian village’ in Ubud

    January 21, 2025

    Cathryn Li Engages In Heated Exchange With Comedian Chrissie Mayr Over Jocelyn Chia’s Joke

    June 13, 2023

    Taiwanese star Barbie Hsu dies at 48 during family holiday in Japan

    February 3, 2025
    Fresh News

    Bangkok SAO collapse: One body and remains of seven unearthed

    April 30, 2025

    Japan and Philippines forge ‘golden age’ of ties with strategic, humanitarian, and economic agreements

    April 30, 2025

    Thailand PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra addresses construction safety after SAO collapse

    April 1, 2025

    Petronas gas pipeline explosion sparks massive blaze in Selangor

    April 1, 2025
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Facebook Twitter Instagram

    News

    • ASEAN
    • BUSINESS/ FINANCE
    • ENTERTAINMENT/ LIFESTYLE
    • SPORTS
    • TECHNOLOGY
    • CRYPTO/ NFT

    ABOUT US

    • Information
    • Editorial Team
    • Contact Info
    • Editorial Standards
    © 2025 THE ASEAN DAILY.
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms
    • FAQ

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.