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NSC Kirby: Too Soon To Tell If Xi/Zelensky Call Could Lead To Peace

SECURITY

White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby has told reporters that the US "welcomes" a call today between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky but warned that it is, "too soon to tell" if the call "could lead to a peace proposal."

  • The call was the first official contact between the two leaders since the war began and has been cautiously identified by analysts as a key milestone in efforts towards a ceasefire.
  • The call comes as Western leaders issue a number of public statements appearing to walk away from a absolutist position on decoupling economically from China.
  • US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stressed in remarks at John Hopkins University last week that US-China measures were in the interest of national security and not designed to constrain China's economic development.
  • This new framework of US-China economic cooperation may be formalised on Thursday when White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan delivers a "major address" previewing new action on China.
  • The more conciliatory rhetoric on China may have prompted Beijing to address Western criticism that their "ceasefire proposal" for Ukraine failed to include engagement with Ukraine.

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