Ukraine: China’s Xi calls Zelensky for first time since Russian invasion | World News

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had a “long and meaningful” phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In a long-awaited dialogue between the two leaders, habit call Russia and Ukraine According to state media, peace talks resumed and they warned that “there are no winners in a nuclear war”.

The Chinese government also promised to send a “special representative” to Kiev to negotiate a possible “political settlement”.

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After the discussion, he tweeted, Mr. Zelensky Said: “I had a long and profound phone call with President Xi Jinping.

“I believe that this call and the appointment of the Ukrainian ambassador to China will provide a strong impetus to the development of our bilateral relations.”

It comes two months after Beijing said it wanted to act as a peace mediator.

China has tried to remain neutral in the conflict but has refused to condemn Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

President Xi reportedly said that China would send a special representative to Ukraine to hold talks with “all parties” on a “political solution to the Ukrainian crisis.”

He said China was willing to continue to provide “humanitarian assistance” to Ukraine.

The two sides should focus on the future, persist in viewing and planning bilateral relations from a long-term perspective, and continue the tradition of mutual respect and sincerity between the two sides.

“Nuclear War Has No Winners”

“Negotiations are the only viable way out,” Chinese state television also quoted Mr. Xi as saying in a report of the call.

He added: “There are no winners in a nuclear war.

“Relevant parties should maintain calm and restraint in dealing with the nuclear issue, truly look at the future and destiny of themselves and mankind, and jointly manage and control the crisis.”

Before the February 2022 invasion, the Chinese President and vladimir putin A joint statement was released saying there was a “boundless friendship” between the two governments.

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But earlier this year, the Chinese government made a peace proposal, calling for a ceasefire and peace talks.

The call between the two leaders was another step toward China’s deeper engagement in resolving the ongoing war.

It comes after Mr Zelensky said in late March that he had not spoken to Xi since the war began and repeatedly asked to meet him — including at his visit mr putin In Moscow last month.

Why China’s position matters

A Chinese foreign ministry official added that President Xi’s phone call with President Zelensky “demonstrated China’s objective and fair stance in international affairs.”

They said everything the country was doing to help resolve the crisis was “open”.

Sky Asia correspondent Helen-Ann Smith said the call between President Zelenskiy and President Xi was “significant”.

She added: “China’s position in this war is really important, and it’s portraying itself as a potential peacemaker.

“It wants to be seen as a force that can make peace because it says it is one of the only common parties.

“The West viewed this claim with a certain degree of skepticism. China never condemned the invasion, but it provided Russia with money and technology and significant diplomatic cover.”

The phone call between the two leaders also came after French President Emmanuel Macron urged Xi earlier this month to “bring Russia back to its senses and bring everyone back to the negotiating table” over the Ukraine war.

Mr Macron had Visit to Beijing with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyenshe said she hoped China would promote a just peace that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty.