Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appealed for direct talks with China’s president Xi Jinping as he urged Beijing to use its political and economic influence on Russia to help end the war in his country. Zelenskyy told the South China Morning Post in an interview published today that he has been asking for a conversation with the Chinese president since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February, but that none is yet to take place. Xi has previously expressed concern over the conflict in Ukraine during a summit in June, saying that it sounded an alarm for humanity. He gave no indication of how to end the fighting, however.
China, Russia’s most important ally, is yet to condemn what Russian President Vladimir Putin has called a special military operation in Ukraine, which he says is aimed at de-nazifying and demilitarizing the country. The six-month conflict has killed at least five thousand 327 civilians in Ukraine and forced some 12 million people from their homes. The fighting has also prevented grain from leaving the country, which is known as the breadbasket of the world, worsening food shortages and driving price rises across the globe.
Chidozie Chima | September 20, 2024
