What’s new: President Xi Jinping affirmed that China will make efforts to promote talks and restore peace in Ukraine when he spoke to the country’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy over the phone Wednesday afternoon, state media reported.
Xi said that China will send one or more special representatives on Eurasian affairs to Ukraine and other countries to talk with all parties comprehensively about a political settlement to the Ukrainian crisis, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
“Now that rational thinking and voices are increasing, all parties should seize the opportunity to accumulate favorable conditions for a political solution to the crisis,” CCTV reported Xi said.
Zelenskyy welcomed China’s participation in restoring peace and resolving the crisis through diplomatic means and thanked China for the humanitarian assistance provided to Ukraine, according to CCTV.
The background: In a 12-point position paper released in February, China advocated for a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war and called peace talks the “only viable solution” to the crisis.
Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin called on all parties to halt actions that could lead to escalation and a prolonged war during Xi’s visit to Moscow in March.
Contact reporter Kelly Wang (jingzhewang@caixin.com) and editor Michael Bellart (michaelbellart@caixin.com)
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