Zelensky urges China to use its diplomatic weight to end Russia’s war with Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged China to utilize its diplomatic influence to aid in ending Russia's ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Zelensky shared a letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping, who expressed support for a peaceful resolution. Zelensky emphasized the importance of China's role in fostering peace, stating that it could be a shared achievement.

This is the second year in a row that China has sent a congratulatory message to Ukraine following the Russian invasion in 2022. Despite China's frequent affirmations that its relationship with Russia is not directed at any third party and its support for a political settlement through dialogue, the war has intensified, and the humanitarian crisis has worsened.

Beijing's closer partnership with Moscow has hindered efforts to engage with the European Union. Kyiv's envoy to Beijing has called for China to play a more active role in advancing peace, protecting global food security, and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. A prominent researcher at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations noted that neither Russia nor Ukraine is likely to secure a complete military victory, and the "spirit of Anchorage" diplomatic approach may have failed.