Zelensky asks China to use diplomatic weight to end Ukraine war

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on China to leverage its significant diplomatic weight to help bring an end to Russia's ongoing war against his country. Zelensky expressed his hope for continued cooperation and for China to play a strong role in achieving peace, which he described as a potential shared accomplishment.

In posts on the social media platform X, Zelensky shared details of a congratulatory letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping on Ukraine's Independence Day. This marks the second consecutive year Beijing has publicly sent such a message following Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. The two leaders last spoke directly in April 2023.

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We count on further cooperation and on China playing a strong diplomatic role in bringing Russia’s war against our country to an end. Peace can be our shared achievement.

Xi's letter, as posted by Zelensky, emphasized that "China-Ukraine friendship serves the fundamental interests of both peoples." He stated China's readiness to work with Ukraine to promote "long-term, healthy and stable development of bilateral relations" based on mutual respect and equality.

The Russia-Ukraine war, now in its fifth year, continues to see intensified ground fighting and a worsening humanitarian crisis, with no clear diplomatic resolution in sight. China's position on the conflict remains a subject of intense international observation. Its deepening partnership with Moscow is viewed as a significant obstacle for Beijing in its efforts to improve ties with the European Union, especially amidst its strategic competition with the United States.

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China-Ukraine friendship serves the fundamental interests of both peoples. China is ready to work with Ukraine to continue upholding the principles of mutual respect and equality and mutual benefit to promote the long-term, healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.