China to send peace envoy to Ukraine

China will send a special representative for Eurasian affairs to Ukraine and other countries for "communication on the settlement" of the war, Chinese state media Xinhua reports.

China will focus on promoting peace talks and make efforts for a ceasefire as soon as possible, Xi told Zelensky.

What happened before?

Xi made a state visit to Russia last month. Since February, he has promoted a 12-point peace plan for Ukraine, greeted with skepticism from the West but cautiously welcomed by Ukraine.

In March, Chinese leader Jinping visited Moscow on an official visit, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On the eve of his visit to the aggressor country, there was information that Xi Jinping could talk to the president of Ukraine.

In an interview with the Associated Press, Volodymyr Zelensky said that he had not been in contact with the Chinese leader since the beginning of the full-scale war,  and therefore he would like Xi to visit Ukraine.

China says it is positioned to help mediate the conflict because it has not taken sides publicly.

Western countries say China's 12-point peace proposal for Ukraine is too vague, offers no concrete path out of the war, and could be used by Putin to promote a truce that would leave his forces in control of occupied territory.