Zelenskyyy reacted positively to the Chinese peace plan

BEIJING — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is ready to consider the elements of a 12-point peace plan proposed by Beijing.
On the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China urged both sides to accept gradual de-escalation, warned against the use of nuclear weapons and said the conflict will not was good for anyone.
The plan outlined in the Chinese Foreign Ministry document largely echoes Beijing’s position since the start of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine, which the Kremlin calls a “special military operation”.
China did not condemn Russia, its strategic partner, and did not call the Russian intervention in a neighboring country an “invasion”. He also condemned Western sanctions imposed on Russia.
“All parties should exercise caution and restraint, avoid fanning the flames and escalating tensions, and prevent the crisis from escalating further and spiraling out of control,” the document said.
Kiev’s initial reaction was dismissive. A senior adviser to President Zelenskyyy has said any plan to end the war must include the withdrawal of Russian troops to the borders that emerged after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.
However, Zelenskyyy himself adopted a more benevolent, albeit cautious, tone at a press conference marking the first anniversary of the conflict.
“China has expressed its thoughts,” the Ukrainian leader said. – I think the fact that China has started talking about Ukraine is not bad. The question is, what comes after the words? The question is, what are the steps and where will they lead?Russia said it highly appreciates China’s plan and is ready to achieve its goals through political and diplomatic means.
However, these proposals have not yet found a positive response within NATO.
“China does not inspire much confidence because it has not condemned the illegal invasion of Ukraine,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Tallinn.
China has said the use of nuclear weapons is unacceptable: “Nuclear weapons should not be used and nuclear wars should not be started,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a document. “We oppose the development and use of biological and chemical weapons by any country under any circumstances.”
Since the start of the war, Chinese President Xi Jinping has spoken regularly with Putin, but never with Zelenskyyy. Wang Yi, China’s top diplomat, visited Moscow this week for talks. There was speculation that the Chinese leader would deliver a “peace speech” on Friday, but that didn’t happen.