Photo: EPA
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he urged U.S. President Donald Trump to involve Chinese President Xi Jinping in efforts to end Russia’s war against Ukraine, arguing that Xi has influence over Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelenskyy made the remarks after meeting Trump in New York on September 22 on the sidelines of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly.
Trump is scheduled to meet Xi in Washington on September 23 during the Chinese leader’s state visit to the United States, which runs from September 23 to 25.
“I said very openly to President Trump that we believe that if he also involves President Xi, he has influence over Putin,” Zelenskyy said.
“If we want to end this war not only in words, then we all have to work on it around the clock, for the sake of the people,” he added.
Zelenskyy seeks broader pressure on Russia
Zelenskyy’s proposal comes as Washington continues efforts to revive negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. During his September 22 meeting with Trump, the Ukrainian president also discussed an energy ceasefire, security guarantees and Ukraine’s air-defense needs.
Zelenskyy said the United States had agreed to convey Kyiv’s proposal for an energy truce to the Russian side. He also said Ukraine remained ready for reciprocal de-escalation measures if Russia stopped attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
The Ukrainian president has also called for a direct meeting with Putin and said Trump could help organize a trilateral summit involving the United States, Ukraine and Russia.
Trump-Xi summit
Xi’s visit to Washington is expected to focus primarily on U.S.-China relations and broader global issues. China’s Foreign Ministry said the two leaders would discuss ways to enhance dialogue, manage differences and expand cooperation.
Zelenskyy’s call to involve Xi in the Ukraine peace process reflects Kyiv’s view that Beijing could use its relationship with Moscow to support efforts toward ending the war. His statement that Xi has influence over Putin is Zelenskyy’s assessment, rather than an independently established measure of Chinese influence.
Zelenskyy also said Washington was taking a positive view of possible licensed production of Patriot missiles and interceptors in Ukraine, while the two presidents continued discussions over a possible energy truce and preparations for the coming winter.
