A talk between Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping “would be a very good thing,” a White House spokesman said on Thursday. The United States, favorable, “encourages (ent)” for a long time, he added.
“We think it is very important that the Chinese listen to the Ukrainians and not just to (Vladimir) Putin,” White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said.
A first since the invasion of Ukraine
The two leaders have not spoken since Russia invaded Ukraine, but the setup for a talk appears to be taking shape. In late February, Volodymyr Zelensky said he was planning a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, a possibility bolstered by Monday’s announcement of the Wall Street Journal that Xi Jinping planned to speak with the Ukrainian president.
According to the newspaper, this discussion could take place after Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow next week.
Beijing has not explicitly condemned or supported the Russian offensive in Ukraine, while providing diplomatic support to Moscow.
Russia’s ally position
On February 24, exactly one year after the Russian invasion of Ukraine began, Beijing released a 12-point document urging Moscow and kyiv to hold peace talks.
But if China seeks to assert itself as a mediator in this conflict, its position as Russia’s ally disqualifies it in the eyes of Westerners, who support Ukraine.
Recently accused by the United States of considering supplying weapons to Russia, China has strongly denied this.
Source: BFM TV
