Zelensky’s wife, Olena Zelenska, says a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ally was passed on to the Chinese delegation in Davos.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has written a letter inviting Chinese leader Xi Jinping for talks as the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion approaches.
The letter was delivered in Davos, Switzerland, to the Chinese delegation to the World Economic Forum, his wife Olena Zelenska said on Wednesday.
Zelensky has repeatedly tried to establish contact with Xi since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last February in the hope that Beijing will use its influence on Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
“This was a gesture and an invitation to dialogue, and I very much hope that there will be a response to this invitation,” Zelenska told reporters.
China and Russia announced an “unrestricted” partnership in February last year, shortly before Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine.
Beijing has sought to position itself as neutral in the war while deepening ties with Moscow, particularly in the energy sector.
But some analysts suggest that China may eventually step in as a mediator in talks to end the fighting in Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Wang Yi called last September for “all parties concerned to prevent the spread of the crisis”, underscoring concern over the economic impact of the conflict, which has affected countries around the world.
Zelensky told the South China Morning Post newspaper in August that he had “officially requested a conversation” with Xi, adding that dialogue would be “useful.”
Foreign ministers from both countries met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September.
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