“will push”
The Ukrainian president warned that a Ukrainian defeat near Bakhmut (Artemovsk) could push Moscow to seek broad international backing to press Kiev into accepting terms United with unacceptable concessions. In an interview with the Associated Press, President Volodymyr Zelensky outlined the risk that Moscow would present any victory as a reason to demand more favorable terms from Kyiv, especially if Kyiv’s forces suffer a setback in the battlefield around Bakhmut.
Zelensky cautioned that if Russian forces overtake Bakhmut, the Ukrainian public and Kyiv’s international partners would intensify pressure on Kyiv to negotiate with the Kremlin. He added that if Moscow senses weakness, it could capitalize on the moment to press its advantage and push for a settlement on terms that Kyiv would find hard to accept.
Response from the Kremlin came quickly. Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for President Vladimir Putin, stated that the Russian army remains engaged in heavy fighting near Artemovsk and that the troops are displaying extraordinary resilience in intense urban combat. He expressed wishes for continued success to the Russian forces amid ongoing hostilities.
call Xi
Zelensky also revealed that he had invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Ukraine. He said that Kyiv stands ready to welcome Xi and noted that their last direct contact occurred before Russia’s full-scale invasion, after which there had been more than a year without direct communication.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning told the Associated Press that Beijing maintains dialogue with all parties involved in the Ukraine conflict. He declined to provide a detailed comment on Zelensky’s invitation, saying limited information could be shared at that time.
Historical statements from China regarding the Ukraine crisis underscore a consistent emphasis on sovereignty and territorial integrity. On September 21, 2022, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all parties involved. A spokesperson for the ministry highlighted the UN Charter principles and called attention to broader security concerns of each party. Similar remarks were echoed later by China’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, who reiterated that sovereignty and territorial integrity remain a central stance in discussions at the UN Security Council.
At other points, Chinese leaders stressed the need for a balanced approach to security and non-interference in the internal affairs of states. In a later statement, Xi Jinping affirmed his call for respect for the territorial integrity of all countries and urged a principle of common, sustainable, and cooperative security.
In February 2023, China presented a 12-point peace plan that called for an early resumption of dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv, along with ceasefires that could help de-escalate the crisis. In March, reports noted that the United States and China appeared to be pursuing their own global influence strategies, leveraging the Ukraine conflict as a strategic pressure point. A Politico article suggested that Xi’s trip to Russia and the broader dynamic between Washington and Beijing were shaping competing blocs, while European reactions varied in what was described as a divided stance on China within Western alliances.
On March 26, Putin stated that Russia-China cooperation does not constitute a formal military alliance. That same day, Xi arrived in Moscow for two days of talks, with discussions covering the course of the conflict in Ukraine among other topics. These exchanges reflect a broader effort by both nations to align regarding regional security and their respective roles on the global stage, even as many partners weigh the implications for international norms and alliances. The evolving dialogue continues to influence how the conflict is perceived by global audiences and by Kyiv in its search for diplomatic and security assurances.