Zelenskyy Says China Has Enough Leverage to Push Putin to End the War

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated during a virtual address to the Hudson Institute in Washington that China possesses the necessary economic influence to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the ongoing war in Ukraine. Zelenskyy emphasized that Beijing could effectively contribute to peace efforts if it genuinely desired to resolve the conflict.

He highlighted the significant trade relationship between China and Russia, asserting that China's role as a major market for Russian goods conveys a considerable level of leverage over the Kremlin. Zelenskyy argued that China's economic power gives it the capacity to compel Putin to end hostilities. The Ukrainian president also broached the idea of a summit involving the leaders of China, the United States, and Russia, though he was uncertain about the topics that might be addressed.

Zelenskyy reiterated Ukraine's stance that any decisions concerning Ukraine should involve Ukraine directly, expressing his hope that no one would attempt to divide the nation. He stressed Ukraine's continuous support for multilateral diplomacy and negotiations with Russia, facilitated by the United States and backed by European allies.

However, Zelenskyy cautioned that while China boasts the economic means to facilitate an end to Russian aggression, it has yet to leverage this influence to achieve such an outcome. The Ukrainian president's comments follow ongoing diplomatic initiatives to conclude Russia's war in Ukraine. Kyiv has expressed willingness to negotiate a peace agreement and contemplate a ceasefire along the existing front line, while firmly rejecting the idea of recognizing the occupied Ukrainian territories as Russian or allowing Ukrainian forces to withdraw voluntarily from the Donbas region.