Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that he would like to hold a bilateral meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
When asked at a Kyiv news conference how he plans to bring the countries that are geopolitically removed from Ukraine to his side, Zelensky said that he plans to meet with Xi.
"I believe that would be beneficial for both our states and for the security in the world, he said, adding that "China and Ukraine have a lot of trade turnover."
China has given no indication that a meeting between Xi and Zelensky is possible.
"It's not just a question of war. We are countries that are interested in maintaining an economic relationship," Zelensky continued. "As far as I know, China respects territorial integrity, historically, has respected it and therefore must do whatever they can for the Russian Federation to leave our territory because that would mean respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity."
The president also said that it is necessary to respect international law and the United Nations Charter, and if China agrees with this, then it means it supports the "peace formula" put forward by Ukraine, which calls on Russia to leave every part of what is internationally recognized as Ukrainian territory.
Zelensky earlier said "we need to work with China" if the country can respect international law and territorial integrity. On Friday, China said it is willing to play a constructive role in resolving issues between Ukraine and Russia.
New paper, old message: In a new document addressing the war in Ukraine, China’s Foreign Ministry on Friday called for a resumption of peace talks, an end to unilateral sanctions, and stressed its opposition to the use of nuclear weapons — a stance Xi communicated to Western leaders last year.
The 12-point paper is part of Beijing’s latest efforts to present itself as a neutral peace broker. Beijing’s claim to neutrality has been severely undermined by its refusal to acknowledge the nature of the conflict — it has so far avoided calling it an “invasion” — and its diplomatic and economic support for Moscow.
