Chinese chief Xi Jinping walks previous an honor guard throughout a welcoming ceremony at Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport on Monday.

Anatoliy Zhdanov/Kommersant Photo/AFP through Getty Images

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Anatoliy Zhdanov/Kommersant Photo/AFP through Getty Images

Chinese chief Xi Jinping walks previous an honor guard throughout a welcoming ceremony at Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport on Monday.

Anatoliy Zhdanov/Kommersant Photo/AFP through Getty Images

Chinese chief Xi Jinping known as Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, over a month after Xi’s summit with Russia’s chief Vladimir Putin.

Xi made the decision after weeks of intensifying stress from Western leaders to make use of his affect with Putin to dealer a deal towards ending the yearlong battle in Ukraine, triggered by Russia’s invasion in February 2022.

This was the primary recognized name between Xi and Zelenskyy for the reason that Russian invasion.

Writing on Twitter, Zelenskyy mentioned the decision was “long and meaningful” however there have been no specifics on whether or not they talked of how of discovering an finish to the battle.

Xi’s name comes because the Chinese chief has sought to play the function of peacemaker, having brokered a deal to fix fences between regional rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia. However, possibilities of a breakthrough within the Ukraine battle are slim, given how far aside Moscow and Kyiv’s positions stay.

Russia occupies massive parts of jap Ukraine and Crimea, and Kyiv insists no talks are doable till Moscow withdraws from Ukrainian territory it at present holds. Even a cease-fire, it says, will solely permit Moscow time to regroup in its faltering navy marketing campaign. Ukraine rejected a 36-hour Russian cease-fire over Orthodox Christmas.

Ukraine is believed to be gearing up for a spring offensive, which may begin quickly, in an try and take again Russian-occupied land. The success or failure of that offensive may dramatically reshape the battle, and probably create the circumstances that may makes talks extra possible to each side.

The Chinese chief, having recently secured an unprecedented third time period as president, seeks to burnish China’s worldwide credentials amid deeply pressured ties with the U.S. and increasingly tough ones with Europe. Countries there view China’s shut ties with Russia, and their “no limits” partnership, with rising suspicion and skepticism. Ties are additionally frayed on every little thing from commerce and human rights to considerations over Taiwan.

China known as for a cease-fire and peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, in a position paper launched on the primary anniversary of Russia’s invasion on Feb. 24.

“Dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solution to the Ukraine crisis,” the 12-point place paper acknowledged. “All efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be encouraged and supported.”

Ukraine has been skeptical of the proposal, given Beijing’s shut ties with Moscow. Washington basically dismissed the proposal, saying China was not a impartial arbiter on this battle.

Hanna Palamarenko offered further reporting from Kyiv