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

Kyiv releases Chinese president’s Independence Day greeting as top envoy urges broader Black Sea security cooperation

“We count on further cooperation and on China playing a strong diplomatic role in bringing Russia’s war against our country to an end,” the Ukrainian leader wrote on the social media platform X on Wednesday. “Peace can be our shared achievement.”

In his X posts on Monday, Zelensky attached copies of Chinese and Ukrainian versions of a congratulatory letter Xi sent to mark Ukraine’s Independence Day.

It is the second consecutive year Beijing has sent Kyiv such a public congratulatory message following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Beijing has not published the latest letter. Xi and Zelensky last spoke during a phone conversation in April 2023.

“China-Ukraine friendship serves the fundamental interests of both peoples. China is ready to work with Ukraine to continue upholding the principles of mutual respect and equality and mutual benefit to promote the long-term, healthy and stable development of bilateral relations,” read Xi’s letter that was posted by Zelensky to X.

More than four years into the Russia-Ukraine war, ground fighting has continued to intensify and the humanitarian crisis is worsening, with no major diplomatic breakthrough in sight.

China’s position on the conflict has remained under close international scrutiny, while its closer partnership with Moscow has been seen as a major stumbling block in Beijing’s efforts to mend ties with the European Union amid its strategic rivalry with the United States.