Despite expressing some skepticism, the Ukrainian president welcomed the fact that China had spoken out on the war in Ukraine – in reference to the peace plan officially presented by Beijing on Friday – and said he hoped that the position of the leadership of China is moving towards demanding that Russia respect basic principles of international law, including the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries.
“At least China started talking to us, calling us an invaded country and I’m fine with that. But China is not exactly pro-Ukrainian and we need to see what actions are followed by words,” said Volodymyr Zelensky.
“I just ask China to talk to us. In that document, it seems to me that there is respect for our territorial integrity, security issues. We need to work with China on this issue”he added.
Zelensky believed a victory over Russia in 2023 is possible if Western partners keep their promises regarding military aid.
“If our partners keep their word and respect the deadlines, an inevitable victory awaits us (…) but we must fulfill our duties, because no country can defend itself. I really want that to happen this year”said Zelensky at a press conference with international media organized this Friday to mark the first anniversary of the large-scale Russian invasion.
He also stressed that the February 24, 2022 Russian invasion was the start of a widespread attack against “the right to life” after eight years of conflict confined to eastern Ukraine against the self-proclaimed breakaway republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.
The Ukrainian leader also proposed hosting a summit with “countries from all continents” after Kyiv received broad support from the UN General Assembly, which on Thursday approved a resolution calling for the end of hostilities and the withdrawal of Russian troops from the country. .
Zelensky said the summit should take place in a country “capable of bringing together the largest possible number of countries in the world”, a day after 141 states represented at the UN voted in favor of the resolution.
The Ukrainian president indirectly alluded to the abstentions recorded in that vote, including China and India, saying his government is working “to transform this neutrality into a statute of non-neutrality in the face of war”.
Zelensky specifically mentioned that the Kiev executive is seeking support for its peace plan — which provides a roadmap for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine in accordance with the UN charter — from countries in Latin America and Africa.
In this regard, the official said Ukraine has started opening embassies on both continents, where several countries maintain good relations with Russia and have refused to condemn the war.
“Ukraine must take a step forward to meet the countries of the African continent,” he declared, also referring to his intention to “organize a summit between the countries of Latin America and Ukraine”.
In this context, he referred in particular to the President of Brazil, Lula da Silva, who expressed his intention to strengthen bilateral contacts with a country that is part of the BRICS, the group of emerging economies that also includes Russia, China, India and South America belong. Africa. .
The Ukrainian head of state also emphasized close contacts with the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Poland and the three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) to create international mechanisms to enable the investigation of war crimes that Russia is accused of having committed in Ukraine. .
The military offensive launched by Russia in Ukraine on February 24, 2022 has so far led to the flight of more than 14 million people – 6.5 million internally displaced persons and more than eight million to European countries – according to the latest data from the UN, which classifies this refugee crisis as the worst in Europe since World War II (1939-1945).
At least 18 million Ukrainians need humanitarian aid and 9.3 million need food aid and housing.
The Russian invasion – justified by the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, with the need to “denazify” and demilitarize Ukraine for Russia’s security – was condemned by the international community at large, which responded by sending weapons to Ukraine and Russia to impose political and economic sanctions.
The UN presented 8,006 civilian casualties and 13,287 wounded as confirmed since the start of the war, exactly one year ago, underlining that these numbers are far below the real ones.
Source: DN
