Xi Jinping Chinese President intends to meet in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week and later hold talks with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports, citing informed sources.
« Chinese leader Xi Jinping plans to speak with President Vladimir Zelensky for the first time since the beginning of the special operation in Ukraine, likely after he visits Moscow next week to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, people familiar with the matter said, » notes the newspaper.
It is hoped that the talks between the President of China and the Ukrainian President will occur via video link.
The sources noted that the planned contacts with the heads of the Russian Federation and Ukraine « reflect the efforts of Beijing to play a more active role as a mediator » in resolving the situation in Ukraine.
According to the WSJ interlocutors, Xi Jinping, in addition to a trip to the Russian Federation, will also visit several European countries.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin did not comment on information about Xi Jinping’s planned visit to Moscow next week, recalling that the parties make announcements of foreign visits synchronously, by mutual agreement.
« Now I have zero to say on this topic. As a rule, announcements of foreign visits are carried out simultaneously, by mutual agreement of the parties, when such readiness is, we will inform you, » Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Earlier, China presented its twelve-point plan for the Ukrainian settlement. At a press conference during the NPC session, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said that the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis is possible only on the basis of peaceful negotiations and taking into account the concerns of all interested parties.
For his part, the press secretary of the Russian President, in an interview published in the newspaper, noted that the point in China’s plan that the security of one country cannot be provided at the cost of the security of another corresponds to Russia’s position on this issue.
