Zelenskiy call: Xi Keeps Peace With Europe While Holding To His Own Aims

A long-awaited phone call between Xi Jinping and Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been cautiously welcomed, but China analysts say the timing suggests it could be partly an act of damage control after controversial comments by China's ambassador to France

- Helen Davidson

Ambassador Lu Shaye, one of China's diplomats with a history of fiery remarks, caused outrage across Europe last week when he denied the sovereignty of former Soviet states, saying they "did not have effective status". The comments were roundly condemned, with several European nations summoning Chinese envoys for rebuke, and politicians suggesting it demonstrated China's untrustworthiness as a neutral party in the Ukraine war.

Beijing, which counts Russia as its closest major ally, has sought to present itself as a potential peacemaker and there have been signs that Xi was unhappy with Russia's actions, but China has largely supported Russia's stance.