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

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.