Xi-Zelensky call welcomed by the West, but no substantial change to China’s position on Ukraine

LONDON – Western governments have formally welcomed the news that

Chinese President Xi Jinping has spoken on the phone to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky

and pledged China’s cooperation in finding a peaceful solution to the worst European conflict since World War II.

United States National Security Council spokesman John Kirby called the Chinese initiative “a good thing”, while a spokesman for Dr Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, the European Union’s executive body, hailed the phone call between Mr Xi and Mr Zelensky as “an important, long overdue first step by China”.