Opens for peace talks: "I don't think it's bad"

 

Zelenskyys to meet Xi Jinping: "Will be beneficial" 

 

Of:  

 

Emil Forsberg 

 

Published: Today 18.40  

 

Updated: Less than 3 hours ago  

 

NEWS 

 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy called a press conference on the anniversary of the invasion. 

 

There he announced that he will meet with China's leader Xi Jinping for a peace meeting.  

 

- It will be beneficial for security, he says.  

 

Zelenskyi opened the press conference in Kiev by holding a minute's silence for the journalists who died during the war in Ukraine.  

 

After taking selfies with some of the visiting journalists, he announced that 2023 will be a year of victory for Ukraine. 

 

- Victory is inevitable if all Ukraine's partners do their homework, he said.  

 

When asked what chances he has to negotiate with Vladimir Putin, he responded by sending a message to Moscow: 

 

- Respect our right to live on our land, get out of our territory, stop bombing us, stop killing civilians... stop the bombing. 

 

China, with close ties to Russia, has previously offered to mediate between Ukraine and Russia to find a peaceful solution to the war, something Zelenskyy welcomes.  

 

Going to meet Xi 

 

The Ukrainian leader says he is planning a meeting with Xi Jinping. 

 

- I plan to meet with Xi Jinping and believe that this will be beneficial for our countries and for the security of the world. 

 

- China has shown what they want. I don't think it's bad that China started talking about Ukraine. But the question is what happens after the words. We wonder what it will lead to, he says. 

 

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova is also open to talks with China. 

 

- That would mean approving new territorial realities in Ukraine, she says according to The Guardian.  

 

Difficult moment  

 

During the question and answer session, Zelensky was also asked to share the most difficult moment he experienced during the war. 

 

- Buttja. The moment we brought Butja back. What I saw, it was terrible. What we have seen. the devil is not beneath us - he is among us, says the president.  

 

President Zelenskyy said that 2023 will be a year of victory for Ukraine. Photo: Efrem Lukatsky / AP