Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the first time condemned China's position, calling it "ambiguous", and acknowledged that communication channels with China do not work.
And this is the most dramatic change in Ukraine's rhetoric towards China.
1/3
He said: "Before the large-scale invasion, there were communication channels between our countries, we had a lot of economic and trade cooperation." 2/3
He added: "At the moment we don't have a channel of communication with China, which is a shame. I would like them to help Ukraine." According to him, it will be difficult to talk with the Chinese president today. 3/3
MFA of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba in an interview answered the question of whether China supports Russia. /1
"China remains neutral for now. Politically, at the level of narratives, their interpretation of the causes of the war coincides. But on the level of practical support, that Russia craves, China is neutral and does not help us or Russia. This is as of now" /2
His response demonstrates the importance for Ukraine to maintain the current position of China when it does not provide the so-called material assistance to Russia /3
An interesting observation: China's narratives coincide in content and time with Russia's information-psychological operation /1
For example, now Russia, incl. with the help of its proxies, actively promotes theses about the need for a truce, incl. for the export of grain; exchange of Ukrainian territories for peace /2
This is done in order to disrupt the Ukrainian counter-offensive, which is becoming more and more real with HIMARS; enable Russia to gain a foothold in the occupied territories; prepare Russian forces for the next wave of offensive /3
1\ Another interesting comment by Zelensky on🇨🇳. Saying that it's very important to hold 🇷🇺accountable for invading a neighboring country so that other countries don't do this, he said: "🇨🇳 is now taking the position that it's normal to occupy the territory of other countries."
2\ My short comment:
It seems that the 🇺🇦 leadership has begun to gradually realize that 🇨🇳 position, despite its alleged neutrality, has signs of "tacit consent" to the violation of international law and 🇷🇺 war crimes in 🇺🇦;
3\ Also, Ze understands that the defeat of 🇺🇦 will mean the readiness of other countries (including 🇨🇳) to carry out similar actions. And it's important for the West to understand this thesis as well. If 🇷🇺 wins, it will mean 🇷🇺 new strength-based security architecture in Europe
1\ President Zelensky during the economic forum in Davos commented on Ukraine's attitude to 🇨🇳 position (I call it pro-🇷🇺 neutrality) regarding the 🇷🇺-🇺🇦 war.
2\ Question from Moderator: 🇨🇳 gives support to 🇷🇺, but reports show that there is not much material assistance. Can 🇨🇳 push 🇷🇺 to end the war?
3\ Zelensky: I'm not sure 🇨🇳 will do it. CN has chosen a policy of being on the sidelines. At the moment, Ukraine is satisfied with such a policy. It's better than helping 🇷🇺.