Chinese leader Xi Jinping is allegedly planning to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal reports.
The conversation is likely to take place after his potential visit to Moscow next week to meet with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.
The meeting may take place virtually via video link. The media outlet says that if the conversation takes place, it will "mark a significant step in Beijing’s efforts to play peacemaker in Ukraine, which have so far been met with scepticism in Europe."
The WSJ notes that Xi is also considering visiting other European countries as part of his trip to Russia, although his itinerary has not yet been confirmed.
President Zelenskyy's office has not yet commented on this information.
CNN recently reported that the war in Ukraine had not affected the close ties between China and Russia in the defence sector. These close ties could be exploited if Beijing decides to provide the Kremlin with lethal weapons for the war in Ukraine.