Zelenskyy changed rhetoric on China: from “destructive” to “can stop the war”

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated the need to involve China in the process of ending the war, emphasizing that Beijing has leverage over the supply of dual-use components to Russia.

Answering journalists’ questions, Zelensky emphasized that Ukraine is interested in China’s participation in ending the war, not in the conflict itself.

“It is important for us to involve them – not in the war, but in stopping the war that Putin brought to Ukraine. I think it is within their power. Regarding the supply of certain types of weapons, the dual use of things – all this can be influenced by the Chinese leader. For us, their participation would definitely be good. So far, we do not see their involvement,” the president said.

The Head of State also reported on a conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz after his visit to China and thanked him for raising the topic of the war in Ukraine during negotiations with the Chinese leadership.

At the same time, in 2023, China unveiled a so-called 12-point peace plan , which included respect for sovereignty, a cessation of hostilities, the resumption of negotiations, and the safety of nuclear power plants.

In 2024, after China and Brazil refused to participate in the Peace Summit with the agenda proposed by Kyiv, Zelensky called alternative initiatives “destructive” and “pro-Russian.”

Previously, the fifth President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, repeatedly called on the authorities to restore communication with Beijing, emphasizing its influence on Russia.

“Why don’t we use China’s capabilities? On February 24, 2023, China put forward peace proposals. They included an immediate ceasefire, ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty, and stopping the shelling of energy infrastructure. Now we need to resume dialogue with China,” Poroshenko said on the anniversary of the full-scale invasion.

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