Ukraine peace summit: Low turnout by Asia signals its other concerns, say analysts

Many in region don't view conflict as key priority amid crises in Gaza, Myanmar

- Varun Karthik

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on June 15 called for global efforts to achieve “fair and lasting peace” in Ukraine, as one of the few Asian leaders in attendance at the peace summit in Switzerland.

Despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s plea for their leaders’ personal participation, most Asian countries were represented at the international gathering in Buergenstock not by their head of state or head of government, but by ministers, officials and other representatives. Mr Kishida and Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao were the 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,” said 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, said Russia’s absence might also explain why Asian heads of states chose not 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.

Poor attendance from Asia underscores the challenge Mr Zelensky faces in garnering global support for his country in a war that has now dragged on for more than two years, and is often described as an existential crisis for Europe.

In his speech, Mr Kishida emphasised how important global participation at the summit was.