"Every time someone tries to hear the word 'peace' in Moscow, another order is given there for such criminal strikes," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted hours after his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, left the Russian capital Wednesday morning.
Over 20 Iranian murderous drones, plus missiles, numerous shelling occasions, and that's just in one last night of Russian terror against 🇺🇦. Every time someone tries to hear the word "peace" in Moscow, another order is given there for such criminal strikes. 1/2
- Вололодимир Зелеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 22, 2023
The highest authorities of China and Russia discussed their common agenda for three days in what was touted as a "peace trip" by Beijing Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin. As a result, they issued a joint statement in which they pledged to strengthen cooperation and announced the construction of a 1,600-mile-long gas pipeline. Regarding the Ukraine conflict, Putin said that the Chinese peace plan could be the basis for a deal, provided the West and Kiev agree, reports BBC.
The Ukrainian president also defended the economic sanctions imposed on Moscow, which Jinping expressly opposes, and denounced attacks against civilians in Zaporizhzhia, one of the points emphasized by China in its position on the political settlement of the Ukraine Crisis:
Protecting civilians and prisoners of war (POWs): Parties to the conflict should strictly abide by international humanitarian law, avoid attacking civilians or civilian facilities, protect women, children and other victims of the conflict, and respect the basic rights of POWs.
Zaporizhzhia. Right now, residential areas where ordinary people and children live are being fired at.
This must not become "just another day" in 🇺🇦 or anywhere else in the world. The world needs greater unity and determination to defeat Russian terror faster and protect lives. pic.twitter.com/YnocW2yVaU- Вололодимир Зелеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 22, 2023
Waiting for a call
Zelensky's phone has been ringing off the hook since the conflict began. During these past few months, he has spoken with numerous international leaders and has been visited by many foreign dignitaries, including Joe Biden. In recent days, he has received calls from, among others, the prime ministers of Ireland, the Netherlands and Austria, but he has not yet received any attempt at communication from Beijing as he had hoped.
