Xi and Zelenskyy speak in first known contact since Russia’s invasion

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, and China’s leader, Xi Jinping.

By Vivian Wang and David Pierson

China’s leader, Xi Jinping, and Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, spoke by telephone Wednesday, in the first known contact between the two leaders since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy said he “had a long and meaningful phone call” with Xi. The Chinese state news media said the two leaders had discussed “the Ukraine crisis” and their nations’ bilateral relationship.

A summary of the nearly hourlong conversation published by the Chinese state news media made no mention of Russia and did not use the word “war.” Xi reiterated points that Beijing has made in the past, saying that China’s “core position” was to “promote peace and talks.” Xi also said “mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity” was the “political basis of China-Ukrainian relations.”

Zelenskyy said on Twitter that the call would help “give a powerful impetus to the development of our bilateral relations.”