China’s Xi “Willing to Call Zelenskyy”

Chinese President Xi Jinping is willing to speak to Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the head of the EU announced on Thursday.

Ursula von der Leyen stated that XI will talk with Zelenskyy if the “conditions and time are right”.

On his part, French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned that he was “counting on China” to reason with Russia over the year-long war.

Macron and Von der Leyen met in China to join efforts and put an end to the Ukrainian crisis, as Beijing continued to engage with Moscow and maintain its “neutral” stance.

“The Russian aggression in Ukraine has dealt a blow to [international] stability,” Macron told Xi. “I know I can count on you to bring back Russia to reason and everyone back to the negotiating table.”

Macron affirmed that the West must engage China to prevent “spiraling” tensions that could split global powers into warring blocs.

Xi sought to position China as a potential mediator in the conflict but has been seen by the West as favoring Russia.

France said the discussions between the leaders were “frank and constructive”, while China described them as “friendly” and “in-depth”.