Why Is Ukraine President Zelensky Refraining From Criticizing China And Its Close Relationship With Russia?

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky in Kiev, Ukraine © AFP / Genya SAVILOV  

Politico: Call me anytime: Zelenskyy plays the long game with Xi Jinping  

Ukraine is conspicuously diplomatic in its dealings with Vladimir Putin’s top ally. 

KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is happy to unleash withering criticism against countries including Hungary and Germany for getting too close to the Russians. But he’s playing a diplomatic long game with Moscow’s No. 1 ally: Chinese President Xi Jinping. 

There are good reasons for not riling the Chinese, despite their “no-limits partnership” with Moscow. Zelenskyy wants to keep Beijing onside as an investor, trade partner and potential middleman — rather than push it away, and run the risk of Xi approving major exports of arms to Russia’s forces. In the years ahead, China’s deep pockets are also likely to play a role in helping Ukraine rebuild from the devastation of war. 

As Xi visits Moscow this week, speculation is mounting that he could also finally hold the first phone call with Zelenskyy since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While no call has been confirmed, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said he would welcome such a conversation between Xi and Zelenskyy, noting, “We believe that the [People’s Republic of China] and President Xi himself should hear directly the Ukrainian perspective and not just the Russian perspective.”  

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Update: Ukraine afraid to criticize China – Politico (RT) 

 WNU Editor: I am not sure if this restraint from Zelensky is going to continue. A number of deals were signed yesterday between China and Russia in Moscow, and while the details have not been public, my sources tell me that China has committed to providing all the political and material support that Russia needs to win the war.

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