Spokesperson: China backs all initiatives for Ukraine peace FM responds to Zelenskyy’s criticism

On December 29, China said it supports all efforts conducive to a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis, responding to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent comments questioning Beijing’s willingness to join the peace process.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian told a regular briefing that China has maintained close communication with all relevant parties, including Russia and Ukraine, since the outbreak of the conflict, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

“China supports all efforts conducive to peace and hopes all parties will reach a fair, lasting and binding agreement through dialogue and negotiations at an early date,” Lin said.

Lin said China’s contributions to promoting a ceasefire and ending the war are evident to the international community and reiterated that Beijing will continue to play a constructive role.

The remarks came after Zelenskyy met with U.S. President Donald Trump on December 28, during which the Ukrainian leader said he does not see China’s readiness to join the “peace track” in Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Speaking to journalists, he criticised Beijing for increasing its imports of Russian energy, rather than pressuring Moscow to end the conflict.

"I don't see China's willingness to join the peace track yet. We always wanted China — and it may be capable of — to put pressure on Russia to stop this war. China didn't do it, unfortunately. On the contrary, China increased its imports of Russian energy resources. Today, China is the largest importer, and we know where this money is going," Zelenskyy said.

The Ukrainian president stressed that revenue from Russian energy exports is being used to fund the war, describing China’s role in this as “unfortunately” significant.

Zelenskyy also announced that Ukraine will adopt additional sanctions by the end of the year, targeting not only Russian individuals and entities, but also foreign citizens, including those from China, who facilitate Russian aggression.

By Aghakazim Guliyev