Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has had a long phone conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and hopes that it will boost relations with Beijing, Reuters reports. This has been the first conversation between Zelensky and Xi Jinping since the beginning of the Russian aggression in Ukraine.

In the conversation, Zelensky described the situation with the occupied Ukrainian Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, pointing out that radiation cannot recognize state borders. Experts point out that Zelensky talked to Xi Jinping about the "Ukrainian formula for peace," while the Chinese leader spoke of a "peace plan." Beijing is sending its former ambassador to Russia and former deputy foreign minister Li Hui as a mediator for negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, Xinhua news agency reported. Meanwhile, Kiev appointed Pavlo Riabikin, a former minister of strategic industries, as Ukraine’s new ambassador to Beijing.

Brussels welcomes the conversation between Xi Jinping and Volodymyr Zelensky, AFP reports. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, sending the Chinese mediator was agreed upon during Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow, TASS reported.