Skip to content
Edit post

CNN: White House 'welcomes' Zelensky-Xi call, expresses caution regarding Chinese peace plan

by The Kyiv Independent news desk April 26, 2023 7:31 PM 2 min read
John Kirby, White House national security council spokesperson, speaks during a news conference in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., on March 21, 2023. (Photo: Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
This audio is created with AI assistance

Support independent journalism in Ukraine. Join us in this fight.

Become a member Support us just once

While U.S. officials welcomed the April 26 phone call between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, they also expressed caution regarding whether it will lead to a "meaningful peace movement," CNN reported.

"We welcome the news that there was a phone call between President Xi and President Zelensky. We think that’s a good thing," White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby said, as quoted by CNN.

However, Kirby also said, "whether that’s gonna lead to some sort of meaningful peace movement or plan or proposal, I just don’t think we know that right now."

According to Kirby, the U.S. has been saying "for quite some time" that "it’s important for President Xi and PRC officials to avail themselves of the Ukrainian perspective on this illegal and unprovoked invasion by Russia."

Kirby reiterated that any peace plan won't be "sustainable or credible unless the Ukrainians and President Zelensky personally are invested and supportive of it."

The White House had no knowledge in advance of the call but would not expect to, Kirby added.

Zelensky talked with Xi Jinping on April 26 for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began.

Zelensky repeatedly said he wanted to talk to Xi, inviting him to visit Ukraine just days after the Chinese president traveled to Moscow for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in late March.

China has publicly taken a neutral stance on the war, with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang saying on April 14 that his country wouldn't sell weaponry to either the Ukrainian or Russian sides.

China released a 12-point "peace plan" on the first anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, it was criticized by many of Ukraine's Western allies for failing to explicitly call for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.

China has so far refused to condemn Russia's aggression against Ukraine and annexation of Ukrainian territories, which is at odds with respect for international law and sovereignty outlined in the plan.

Timothy Ash: Is China serious about peace?
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not purport to reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent. Over the past month, we have seen a sudden, and somewhat surprising, volte-face by China in terms of its approach to Russia’s

News Feed

11:14 PM

Romania denies downing Russian drones over Ukraine.

Videos on social media that purport to show Romanian air defense units shooting down Russian attack drones above Ukraine are spreading a false narrative, Romania's Defense Ministry said in a statement on July 26.
Ukraine Daily
News from Ukraine in your inbox
Ukraine news
Please, enter correct email address
3:38 PM

Russian ex-deputy defense minister arrested on corruption charges.

In his previous position, former Russian Deputy Defense Minister Dmitry Bulgakov was in charge of the military's logistics chains during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. His dismissal was widely seen as a response to the logistic failures that accompanied the early months of Russia's all-out war.
11:31 AM

Сeasefire would leave 25% of Ukraine under Russian control, ambassador says.

"Many countries have proposed the idea of a ceasefire, but no one thinks about what it means. Some 25% of Ukrainian territory would remain under Russian control, which means buying time for Russia to strengthen its capabilities and resume its attacks on Ukraine," Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar said.
MORE NEWS

Editors' Picks

Enter your email to subscribe
Please, enter correct email address
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required
* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Subscribe
* indicates required

Subscribe

* indicates required
Successfuly subscribed
Thank you for signing up for this newsletter. We’ve sent you a confirmation email.