Entering ChinaUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at a press conference in Kyiv on the afternoon of February 23 that he hoped to get China’s help in restoring peace and rebuilding in the future. He said that the Ukrainian side is willing to engage in dialogue with the Chinese side to this end.
The live video shows that when asked by a reporter from Hong Kong’s Phoenix Satellite TV “what role Ukraine expects China to play in stopping the war, restoring peace and rebuilding in the future”, Zelensky first mentioned that Ukraine’s reconstruction needs a lot of money, and the “top priority” is to provide security for Ukraine.
“Our priority is the affairs of Ukraine, and the affairs of all the countries that will provide us with security, and I think that is the relationship with all our partners.” Zelenskyy said, “They will give us security guarantees, and we will give their businesses the possibility of rebuilding Ukraine and profiting from it.” ”
Zelensky believes that China has “great interests in economic relations with Europe.” In this case, he said, China has the possibility of helping us to stop Russia and respecting our territorial integrity, especially to help us on this point.
Zelensky stressed that Ukraine “does not need” weapons, “we have never asked China about weapons, we know the answer.” But I think it’s important, so if China can help us, if China is willing to play a role in that, we’re ready to communicate. ”
Zelensky answered reporters’ questions on the 23rd. Screenshot of the video
On the issue of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, China has always advocated dialogue, consultation and political settlement. On February 24, 2023, China issued China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis. The document puts forward 12 positions, including respecting the sovereignty of all countries, abandoning the Cold War mentality, ceasefire and ending hostilities, initiating peace talks, resolving humanitarian crises, protecting civilians and prisoners of war, maintaining the safety of nuclear power plants, reducing strategic risks, ensuring food exports, stopping unilateral sanctions, ensuring the stability of industrial and supply chains, and promoting post-war reconstruction.
In September last year, China, Brazil, Egypt and other countries in the “Global South” established the “Friends of Peace” group on the Ukraine crisis at the United Nations, and issued a joint communiqué of the ministerial meeting of the group. The communiqué reaffirmed the principles of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, respect for the legitimate concerns of all countries and the peaceful settlement of international conflicts, called for de-escalation of the situation, stressed the importance of not spilling over the battlefield and not escalating the fighting, supported the realization of a comprehensive and lasting political settlement of the Ukraine crisis through diplomatic means on the basis of the UN Charter and international law, and supported the countries of the “Global South” to play a constructive role in this regard.
On February 17, when asked if he would like to consider allowing China to participate in the peace talks on Ukraine, Zelenskyy said: “Regarding China, we have always said that we are willing to have serious participants involved.” ”
Zelenskyy said he hopes the parties involved in the peace talks will be those who are willing to push for a cessation of the war and provide Ukraine with security guarantees, aid and investment in reconstruction. He stressed that dialogue with the Chinese side is “very important” for the Ukrainian side and said that he has seen China’s concern about ending the conflict.
On the evening of February 15, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Serbiga on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Serbiga said that Ukraine and China have always maintained contact and communication, and the people of the two countries are friendly to each other. Ukrainian-Chinese cooperation is mutually beneficial and brings benefits to the people of the two countries. Ukraine attaches great importance to China’s influence as a major country, appreciates China’s objective and balanced position, and expects China to play an important role in achieving comprehensive, just and sustainable peace.
