Kiev counts on Zelensky-Xi meeting, invites FM Wang to visit Ukraine
MOSCOW. July 30 (Interfax) - Work on a meeting between Ukrainian and Chinese leaders Vladimir Zelensky and Xi Jinping is ongoing constantly, Ukrainian media reported, citing Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Georgy Tikhy as saying.
"Did the negotiations and a visit of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba to China bring a probable meeting between the Ukrainian and Chinese leaders closer? Undoubtedly, this brought it closer. But it is still too early to say when such a meeting will take place and when this agreement will be reached," Tikhy said at a press briefing in Kiev on Tuesday.
The Ukrainian-Chinese dialogue is advancing very swiftly, especially this year, he said.
"And we are convinced that it will continue to advance at various levels and there will be more meetings and conversations. I can say that the work on a meeting between the Ukrainian and Chinese leaders is ongoing constantly," Tikhy said.
Ukraine has sent an invitation to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit Kiev, and the Chinese side is interested in this proposal, Tikhy said.
"Indeed, we have sent an invitation [...]. We are willing to receive Minister Wang Yi in Ukraine to hold even more in-depth talks with him on a number of bilateral, regional and international matters. And I am sure that the dialogue between Ukraine and China will continue at all levels," Tikhy said.
He did not mention possible dates of the visit. "I will not speak on behalf of the Chinese Foreign Ministry about when exactly this visit may take place. They are interested in this proposal [...]. We will be happy to receive Wang Yi in Ukraine," Tikhy said.
"Work on contacts, meetings, phone conversations, and visits is constantly underway," Tikhy also said when asked about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's possible visit to Ukraine.
"Diplomacy has never ceased this work and has been seeking opportunities to organize a meeting of the leaders. Now this work is also ongoing. However, I do not want to anticipate events. Therefore, I will not reveal more details yet," Tikhy said.
