“Therefore, we shouldn’t expect anything to happen (immediately), but what is clear is that the Chinese have now indicated that they are going to take concrete steps in the direction of mediation and that is not insignificant,”.. It is significant that China is taking the diplomatic lead towards talks.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/26/europe/xi-jinping-zelensky-phone-call-intl/index.html
as Beijing ramps up efforts to position itself as a potential peacemaker in the grinding conflict.
Zelensky, who has long expressed interest in speaking with Xi, said he had “a long and meaningful phone call” with the Chinese leader that lasted for an hour. “We discussed a full range of topical issues of bilateral relations. Particular attention was paid to the ways of possible cooperation to establish a just and sustainable peace for Ukraine,” Zelensky said in a statement.
In a subsequent briefing Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry said it would send an envoy to Ukraine and other countries to help conduct “in-depth communication” with all parties to achieve a political settlement. The envoy, Li Hui, is the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs, and served as the Chinese ambassador to Russia from 2009 to 2019.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that Moscow had taken notice of China’s willingness to facilitate negotiations with Ukraine following the phone call between Xi and Zelensky.
“We note the readiness of the Chinese side to make efforts to establish the negotiation process,” Zakharova said during a press conference on Wednesday.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/26/europe/xi-jinping-zelensky-phone-call-intl/index.html
as Beijing ramps up efforts to position itself as a potential peacemaker in the grinding conflict.
Zelensky, who has long expressed interest in speaking with Xi, said he had “a long and meaningful phone call” with the Chinese leader that lasted for an hour. “We discussed a full range of topical issues of bilateral relations. Particular attention was paid to the ways of possible cooperation to establish a just and sustainable peace for Ukraine,” Zelensky said in a statement.
In a subsequent briefing Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry said it would send an envoy to Ukraine and other countries to help conduct “in-depth communication” with all parties to achieve a political settlement. The envoy, Li Hui, is the Special Representative of the Chinese Government on Eurasian Affairs, and served as the Chinese ambassador to Russia from 2009 to 2019.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday that Moscow had taken notice of China’s willingness to facilitate negotiations with Ukraine following the phone call between Xi and Zelensky.
“We note the readiness of the Chinese side to make efforts to establish the negotiation process,” Zakharova said during a press conference on Wednesday.
