Zelenskyy stated that he does not see China’s readiness to pressure Putin 16.06.2026 14:56 Ukrinform President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that China has significant leverage over Russia through economic ties; however, Ukraine currently does not feel Beijing’s willingness to pressure Kremlin leader Volodymyr Putin to end the war.
Zelenskyy informed journalists about this on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Evian, France, as reported by a Ukrinform correspondent.
“I believe that all those who desire the cessation of this conflict should unite. To bring this war to an end, we must involve everyone,” Zelenskyy remarked when asked if Beijing could exert pressure on Russia and whether PRC head Xi Jinping should be among the primary interlocutors in resolving the war.
“China is a vast and highly influential nation. I believe Russia’s largest trade volume is precisely with China, and it rests on China’s decision whether to buy or not. The (Russian Federation’s – ed.) economy is dependent on China, on China’s choices. This signifies that China possesses influence,” he elucidated.
Nevertheless, the head of state currently perceives no indications that China is prepared to utilize this influence to pressure the Russian leader.
“Naturally, we would welcome their assistance. But we do not sense it. We do not perceive their inclination. We do not feel they are inclined to pressure Putin, meaning to do everything possible to conclude this war,” Zelenskyy clarified, adding that he is open to a meeting with Xi Jinping.
“Perhaps something will change. Of course, I am very open to meeting with President Xi. And our teams can work on this – precisely to do everything possible to halt the war,” he emphasized.
As Ukrinform reported, Xi told Putin that China and Russia are “defending international justice” in the contemporary world.
Photo: OP
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Джерело: www.ukrinform.ua