Zelensky: China's leader has influence over Putin, should join talks

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that during his meeting with US President Donald Trump, he raised the idea of involving Chinese leader Xi Jinping in negotiations to end Russia's war against Ukraine.

Zelensky noted that Trump was set to meet with the Chinese leader the following day. He said he had told Trump frankly that, in his view, if Trump also brought President Xi into the process, it could help, since Xi has influence over Putin. Zelensky stressed that if the goal is to end the war in more than just words, all sides need to work on it around the clock, for the sake of the people affected.

Earlier statements

Earlier, at a press conference following his talks with Trump, Zelensky said he was ready to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and that the US president could help arrange a trilateral meeting.

Zelensky also said the United States would pass along Ukraine's proposal for an energy truce to the Russian side. In addition, he revealed that Trump has a positive attitude toward granting Ukraine licenses to produce Patriot missiles.