‘Not his level’: Zelensky stated that he declined a meeting with the Chinese premier in Davos, not the other way around

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that he did not plan to meet with the Chinese Premier in Davos because it is not within his scope.

“There is the Premier of China, so our Prime Minister will meet with him. I would gladly meet with the leader of China. As far as I know, Xi Jinping makes decisions, and in Ukraine, I make decisions. I don’t need any dialogues; I need important decisions from leaders who make those decisions,” Zelensky said at the concluding press conference in Davos.

Earlier, Politico reported that China rejected Ukraine’s request for a meeting in Davos between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Politico referred to a senior U.S. official, calling the refusal an “unpleasant surprise” for Kyiv.

“Ukrainian leaders did not hide their desire” to meet with Chinese officials, in particular, the Head of the President’s Office, Andriy Yermak, “hinted” that Zelensky could meet with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. However, in the end, they “did not get the desired meeting, which was a blow to Kyiv.”

After China’s refusal, Ukraine’s representative denied to the publication that Kyiv had even requested a meeting with China.

Additionally, China did not attend negotiations involving “Global South” countries.

All of this has become another signal that China is “not inclined to seek an end” to the war in Ukraine but instead has “aligned with Russia.”

Another senior U.S. representative told the publication that “China rejected any meetings after Russia called on it to cut diplomatic contacts with Ukraine.”