China’s Xi and Ukraine’s Zelensky speak for first time since Russian invasion
Mike Brest
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Moscow’s most significant ally, on Wednesday for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine in February of last year.
Their call comes after Zelensky had invited the Chinese leader to visit Ukraine in late March, while Biden administration officials urged them to speak following Xi’s trip to Moscow to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier in the month.
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Zelensky described their conversation as “long and meaningful” and said, “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.”
Beijing has repeatedly attempted to position itself as a neutral arbiter in Russia’s war in Ukraine, though it has not condemned the Russian invasion and often pushes Russia’s account of the war. The Chinese government has also continued to assist Russia in evading sanctions, and its 12-point peace plan would largely benefit Russia and was a nonstarter for Ukraine.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided a readout of the call that stated, “Mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is the political foundation of China-Ukraine relations.”
The comment is notable given Russia is occupying large chunks of Ukrainian territory and that China’s peace proposal would solidify those occupations and provide Moscow with a chance to resupply for future offensives.
“On the Ukraine crisis, China always stands on the side of peace. Its core stance is to facilitate talks for peace,” the readout continued. “[Xi] noted his proposals of four points about what must be done, four things the international community must do together, and three observations. On this basis, China released its Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis. China did not create the Ukraine crisis, nor is it a party to the crisis. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible major country, China would not sit idly by, nor would it add oil to the fire, still less exploit the situation for self gains.”
Beijing will also send its special representative of the Chinese government on Eurasian affairs to Ukraine and other countries “to have in-depth communication with all parties on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.”
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The United States welcomed the call, National Security Council coordinator John Kirby told reporters on Wednesday, adding, “We think that’s a good thing. We’ve been saying for quite some time that we believe it’s important for President Xi and PRC officials to avail themselves of the Ukrainian perspective on this illegal and unprovoked invasion by Russia.”
U.S. officials have warned since February that they had intelligence indicating China was considering providing lethal aid to Russia for use in Ukraine, though Kirby reiterated on Wednesday that they still haven’t seen it actually occur. But one of the classified U.S. military documents allegedly leaked by a Massachusetts Air National Guard member supposedly revealed that China’s Central Military Commission had “approved the incremental provision” of weapons to Russia, according to the Washington Post.