White House calls on Xi Jinping to press Putin

John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, said this at a briefing in Washington on Monday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"We encourage President Xi to press President Putin directly on the need to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

He said the world and China's neighbors would certainly be watching this closely.

Kirby noted that efforts aimed at ending Russia's war against Ukraine should take into account Ukraine's position.

He also called on President Xi to play a constructive role and communicate with President Zelensky, which he has not done since the Russian invasion began.

In this regard, he added that China should hear not only Putin about his war against Ukraine, but also the Ukrainian side directly.

Photo: EPA/UPG