LAST UPDATE | 17 Mar 2023

Tadgh McNally reports from Beijing:

ENVIRONMENT MINISTER EAMON Ryan has welcomed reports that Chinese President Xi Jinping may speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, saying it may be a sign of “wider support” for Ukraine.

Reports from the Wall Street Journal in recent days suggest that Xi could hold a phone call with Zelenskyy, the first such call since Russia launched its invasion last February.

However, Xi is also set to visit Russia next week after being invited by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The visit was confirmed this morning after speculation earlier this week.

Russian President Vladimir Putin with Chinese President Xi Jinping Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Ryan, who is currently in China for St Patrick’s Day, has been meeting with Chinese Government officials and diplomats in recent days. A meeting between Ryan and his Chinese counterpart, Huang Runqui, is due to take place today.

When asked by The Journal if he believed that discussions between Xi and Zelenskyy were a positive step, Ryan said he did.

“I think it’s good news that there’s a visit from the Chinese President to President Zelenskyy,” Ryan said.

“I hope that might be a sign of wider support right across the world and through that support maybe bring this war to an end soon.”

In the US, the White House has said that potential talks between the two leaders would be a “good thing”.

Speaking yesterday, US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said: “We think it would be a very good thing if the two of them talk”.

“We support and have supported” contact, Kirby said.

While reports of a call have yet to be officially confirmed by either China or Ukraine, talks took place between the Chinese Foreign Minister and Ukrainian Foreign Minister earlier this week.

Zelenskyy had previously said that he wanted to meet with Xi, after Beijing issued a call for urgent peace talks as part of a bid to end the war.

“I am planning to meet with Xi Jinping,” Zelenskyy said, speaking on the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine.

“This will be important for world security,” he added.

Three-day visit

Xi will be in Russia from Monday to Wednesday, Beijing’s foreign ministry and the Kremlin said on Friday.

China’s foreign ministry called Xi’s trip “a visit for peace” that aimed to “practice true multilateralism … improve global governance and make contributions to the development and progress of the world”.

The two leaders would exchange views on bilateral relations and major international and regional issues, ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a regular press conference.

“At present, changes not seen in a century are rapidly evolving, and the world has entered a new period of turmoil,” he said.

“China will uphold its objective and fair position on the Ukrainian crisis and play a constructive role in promoting peace talks.”

The Kremlin said the two presidents would speak about “strategic cooperation” and “discuss deepening the exhaustive partnership and strategic cooperation between Russia and China”.

China, a major Russian ally, has sought to position itself as a neutral party in the conflict, urging Moscow and Kyiv to resolve it through negotiations.

In a 12-point position paper on the war last month, China called for dialogue and respect for all countries’ territorial sovereignty.

But Western leaders have repeatedly criticised Beijing for failing to condemn the invasion, accusing it of providing Moscow with diplomatic cover for its war.

Additional reporting by AFP