China’s President Xi Jinping calls Ukraine’s Zelensky for the first time amid war with Russia
Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke on the phone with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time since Russia’s invasion in February 2022. He will send a delegation to Ukraine for talks with all parties to resolve the conflict there. This information was given in a media report. The Guardian quoted China’s state media as saying that Xi made the offer during a telephone call with Zelensky on Wednesday, offering to help with peace talks aimed at achieving an early ceasefire.
Jinping promised
According to China Central Television, Xi appeared to pledge that China would remain neutral in the conflict. He said that Beijing will neither watch the fire by staying on the other side, nor add fuel to the fire, let alone take advantage of the crisis. However, China remains Russia’s top strategic ally amid the conflict. Despite skepticism in Ukraine about China’s proposals for talks, Kiev has been keen to keep communication with Beijing open, at least after Xi’s recent high-profile summit in Moscow, where Russia and China have forged an indelible friendship. had promised.
What did Zelensky say on the phone call
Zelensky said: I had a long and productive phone call with President Xi Jinping. I am sure that this call, as well as the appointment of the Ambassador of Ukraine to China, will give a powerful impetus to the development of our bilateral relations. Zelensky’s spokesman, Serhiy Nykiforov, said on Facebook that the two spoke for about an hour. Russia’s Foreign Ministry commented on the call, saying it noted China’s willingness to join the peace process for Ukraine.
Told Putin a dear friend
“We note the readiness of the Chinese side to establish a dialogue process,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, The Guardian reported. Jinping described Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin as his ‘dear friend’ on the phone call. Also mentioned the 12 point peace plan. However, he did not make any promise to provide arms to Russia. Within days of Jinping’s visit to Russia, President Zelensky invited the Chinese leader to visit Kiev for talks.
