Ukraine has extended an invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to participate in a planned peace summit scheduled to take place in Switzerland. The invitation signals Kyiv’s hope that Beijing will engage at the highest level, underscoring a belief in the value of Chinese involvement for advancing discussions aimed at stabilizing the region. Reuters captured the scene by noting the input from Igor Zhovkva, who serves as a senior official in the Ukrainian president’s office and acts as a key spokesperson on foreign policy matters.
According to Zhovkva, the Ukrainian side views China’s potential participation as highly significant. He emphasized that Ukraine intends to work closely with Beijing to ensure clear lines of communication and a solid understanding of shared goals at the summit. The Ukrainian administration has been actively reaching out to partners around the world to convey the importance of a Chinese presence in the peace process and to secure broad support for constructive dialogue that could help de-escalate tensions and pave the way for durable agreements.
Earlier, Ukrainian foreign policy officials indicated their intention to facilitate direct dialogue between the leaders of Ukraine and China. The aim was to establish a channel for a call between President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Xi Jinping to discuss what Kyiv has described as its peace formula. The hope was that a direct conversation at the highest level would accelerate coordination and demonstrate a mutual willingness to pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict under internationally recognized principles.
In related commentary, January 19 remarks from Kevin Rudd, the former Australian prime minister and Australia’s ambassador to the United States, highlighted a competing assessment. Rudd suggested that China’s priority remains maintaining stable relations with Moscow, which could influence Beijing’s role in mediating the Ukraine conflict. This assessment reflects a broader debate about China’s potential function as a mediator versus its strategic priorities in its bilateral relationship with Russia.
On the diplomatic front, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has consistently affirmed that it maintains open channels of communication with Ukraine and is prepared to discuss issues that are important to both nations. Spokespersons have reiterated the importance of dialogue and the avoidance of unilateral actions that could complicate efforts toward a negotiated settlement. The emphasis has been on sustaining constructive exchanges and exploring pathways that could support stability and security in Europe.
Earlier developments also show Beijing’s decision to withhold participation in certain high-profile gatherings. For example, there was a reported rejection of Kyiv’s request to convene delegations at major international forums such as the World Economic Forum in Davos. This stance underscores the complexity of balancing diplomacy with concrete actions and highlights how timing and venue choices can shape the perceived momentum of peace efforts. In the broader arc of the situation, the interplay between diplomatic invitations, direct leader-to-leader dialogue, and multilateral engagement continues to influence how Kyiv and its international partners map a path toward a sustainable ceasefire and a framework for long-term peace.