Spanish PM Sanchez urges Xi Jinping to talk to Zelensky at meeting with him

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has called on Chinese President Xi Jinping to talk to Ukrainian authorities and learn firsthand about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's peace formula to help end the Russian invasion.

Sanchez said at a press conference in Beijing that he told Xi that Spain supports President Zelensky's proposals. Among them is a demand to restore the status quo on the territory of Ukraine before Russia annexed Crimea in 2014.

"I believe that this is a plan that lays the foundations for a lasting peace in Ukraine and is fully in line with the UN Charter and its principles, which were violated by Putin's invasion," he said.

"I conveyed our concerns about the illegal invasion of Ukraine," Sanchez said, adding that he "urges Xi to talk to President Zelensky."

Last month, Beijing put forward its own 12-point peace plan and called for a comprehensive ceasefire in the conflict.

Sanchez praised two aspects of the document outlining China's position: "its complete and categorical rejection of not only the use, but even the threat of use of nuclear weapons" and respect for territorial integrity.

Sanchez refused to say what Xi said on the matter.

Spain, a NATO member whose foreign and security policies are closely aligned with those of the United States, is a staunch ally of Ukraine. In July, it will preside over the Council of the EU, which includes 27 governments of the bloc.

Background. As reported, Spain will soon send the first 6 modern Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.