Zelensky Calls for Chinese Presence in Ukraine Peace Negotiations, Highlights Impact on Russia
Volodymyr Zelensky emphasizes the importance of China's involvement in Ukraine's peace talks, citing its influence on Russia amidst escalating tensions with Moscow. He urges Beijing to participate in the upcoming negotiations to address the renewed offensive and seek diplomatic solutions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is looking to collaborate with countries such as China, who have sway over Russia. He is seeking Beijing's participation in upcoming peace discussions as Ukraine deals with a fresh attack from Moscow.
During a recent phone call, Zelensky shared that Chinese President Xi Jinping gave his assurance of supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity. The exact timing of this conversation was not disclosed.
He spoke in an interview with news agency AFP that was aired on Friday. This happened shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin's two-day visit to China, where both countries promised to strengthen their strategic cooperation.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping attend an official welcoming ceremony in front of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square in Beijing on May 16.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping were seen attending an official welcoming ceremony in front of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square in Beijing on May 16.
Sergei Bobylov/Pool/Sputnik/AFP/Getty Images
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In Beijing, Xi and Putin showed their strong unity in a world full of divisions.
Beijing has not criticized Russia's invasion in February 2022. Instead, they have stated that they are neutral in the conflict and have shared a 12-point plan for resolving it. Xi has also called for upcoming peace talks in Switzerland to consider both sides' perspectives.
Engaging with key global players like China is important for Ukraine because they hold influence over Russia. President Zelensky believes that having countries like China on their side will force Russia to make moves and consider more countries.
President Zelensky mentioned receiving assurances from Chinese President Xi Jinping about supporting Ukraine's territorial integrity during a phone call. However, he also acknowledged that the extent of China's support is still uncertain. The only confirmed phone conversation between Zelensky and Xi took place in April of last year.
Zelensky expressed his desire to have China participate in the upcoming international talks in Switzerland next month. The summit, which aims to kickstart a peace process in Ukraine, has already attracted delegations from over 50 countries. Swiss President Viola Amherd confirmed this information, as reported by Reuters on Thursday.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's leader Xi Jinping attend an official welcoming ceremony in front of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square in Beijing on May 16, 2024.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's leader Xi Jinping were seen attending an official welcoming ceremony in front of the Great Hall of the People in Tiananmen Square in Beijing on May 16, 2024. They were pictured together in a show of diplomatic relations.
China has not confirmed its participation in the event yet. However, its ambassador to Switzerland, Wang Shihting, mentioned in March that Beijing was thinking about joining.
Russia has not been present at any of the four rounds of private international peace talks held so far, and they will not be attending this one. On the other hand, China has attended one of these rounds, which was hosted by its close strategic partner, Saudi Arabia.
During a recent six-day trip to Europe, Xi addressed accusations of China supporting Russia in the Ukraine war. He stated that China does not support using the Ukraine crisis to blame or provoke conflicts like a new Cold War.
At the same time, Xi supported French President Macron's idea for a global Olympic truce. This truce would involve a ceasefire in all conflicts during the upcoming Summer Games in Paris.
Zelensky was doubtful about the ceasefire proposal because he felt there were not enough assurances to prevent Russian aggression.
He expressed his concerns to AFP, questioning whether Russia would take advantage of a temporary truce to move their forces into Ukrainian territory.
There is a concern that if we do not push back and use artillery fire to stop their advance, they may bring more heavy military equipment into our territory.
Editor's P/S:
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has brought about a complex diplomatic landscape, with countries seeking alliances and influence to shape the outcome. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's efforts to engage with China, a country with significant sway over Russia, highlight the importance of seeking support from key global players.
China's position in the conflict has been nuanced, with Beijing maintaining a neutral stance while expressing support for Ukraine's territorial integrity. While China's participation in upcoming peace talks could provide a valuable perspective, the extent of their support remains uncertain. The presence of countries like China in these discussions is crucial, as it demonstrates the international community's commitment to finding a peaceful resolution and potentially putting pressure on Russia to consider a wider range of viewpoints.
