Xi and Zelensky Speak for the First Time since Onset of War as China Seeks to Find Solution to Ukraine Crisis

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone call where Xi said negotiations are the only way to end the war. The call came after reports that Ukraine is planning a counteroffensive to remove Russians from occupied territories in the east of the country. Zelensky said the call would improve bilateral relations between Ukraine and China. Xi also told Zelensky that China will send a special envoy to visit Ukraine and other countries to discuss political solutions to the crisis. Moscow praised China’s efforts to establish a negotiation process but criticized Kyiv for undermining peace attempts. French President Emmanuel Macron urged Xi to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war but also made comments on the Taiwan issue that divided the West.