The Associated Press reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit.
In an interview with the news agency, Zelenskyy stated, “We are ready to see him here.”
Since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine last February, Xi has not spoken with Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
However, last month, China published a 12-point plan for “a political resolution of the Ukraine crisis.” During a state visit to Moscow last week, Xi discussed the conflict with his “dear friend,” Russian President Vladimir Putin, although the talks did not make progress on how to end the war.
“A call for de-escalation”
China’s proposal includes a call for de-escalation and eventual ceasefire in Ukraine, and Ukraine has welcomed China’s diplomatic involvement. However, the United States has been dismissive of the proposal because China has not condemned Russia over its invasion. The United States believes that a ceasefire at this point would solidify Russian territorial gains and give Putin’s army more time to regroup.
Zelenskyy has stated that he will only consider peace settlements after Russian troops leave Ukrainian territory.
Zelenskyy is also well aware that his country’s success has been in great part due to waves of international military support, particularly from the United States and Western Europe. But some in the United States — including Republican Donald Trump, the former American president and current 2024 candidate — have questioned whether Washington should continue to supply Ukraine with billions of dollars in military aid.