UKRAINE: The first communication between Volodymyr Zelensky and Xi Jinping since the start of Russia’s conflict, according to Ukraine’s President, was a “long and meaningful” phone call.
The selection of an ambassador to Beijing has been confirmed by China, which will provide the growth of bilateral relations a significant boost. Beijing has made an effort to look unaffected by the Russian incursion, unlike the West.
President Xi recently visited Russia and proposed a 12-point peace proposal, referring to Putin as his “dear friend” and insisting that China was on the right side of history. President Zelensky invited the Chinese leader to Kyiv for talks, stressing that they had spoken before the conflict began in February 2022.
President Xi criticized the US for contributing to Ukraine’s response to the Russian assault, implying that China would not watch the fire from the other side. This is a jab at China’s main international foe, the US.
China’s chances of playing a role in bringing the war to a conclusion are distant due to Russia’s refusal to withdraw its forces from Ukraine’s sovereign territory. Critics point to President Xi’s strong friendship with the head of Russia and China’s booming trade with Russia, as well as its hesitation in using the word “invasion”.
President Zelensky has reached out to China, and Pavlo Ryabikin was chosen as ambassador to Beijing. China’s 12-point peace plan for the conflict failed to provide specific ideas for Ukraine’s future security or Russian-occupied land but contained a suggestion to lift unilateral sanctions.
Beijing has expressed willingness to communicate directly with Ukraine, sending a special representative to Kyiv and other capitals for “in-depth communication” on a political solution. Xi Jinping has achieved diplomatic triumph by convincing Iran and Saudi Arabia to mend fences, but he may also have a financial motivation.
China’s economy is still in shaky shape due to its reliance on export trade, and the call’s announcement made headlines in state media sources.
Users on Chinese social media platforms urged for peaceful coexistence and support for China acting as a responsible nation, with one comment reading, “China must break the impasse and melt the ice”.
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