State media has reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping informed Ukrainian President Zelensky of China’s intention to send a special representative to Ukraine.
The two leaders spoke on Wednesday, marking a significant move after Beijing expressed its desire to act as a peace mediator in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
However, there are currently no details available regarding the specifics of the phone call. Following their conversation, Zelensky tweeted, “I had a long and meaningful phone call with President Xi Jinping. I believe that this call, as well as the appointment of Ukraine’s ambassador to China, will give a powerful impetus to the development of our bilateral relations.”
While China has attempted to remain neutral in the war, it has refrained from condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In February, the Chinese government presented a peace proposal, urging for a cease-fire and peace talks.
Before the February 2020 invasion, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin released a joint statement stating their governments had an “unrestricted partnership.”
According to a report on state TV, Mr. Xi emphasized to President Zelenskyy that negotiation is the only viable solution to the conflict, adding that there is no winner in a nuclear war.
The report stressed the importance of all parties remaining calm and restrained when dealing with nuclear issues, and working together to manage the crisis while considering the future and destiny of humanity as a whole.
State media reported that China has always been on the side of peace, with CCTV stating that “on the issue of the Ukraine crisis, China has always been on the side of peace, and its core position is to promote peace talks.”
