Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky demanded that China react to the latest Russian strikes on Kyiv, which he said had killed at least 14 people, three of them children, and wounded dozens.
Newsweek has sought comment from the Chinese foreign ministry and the Russian government.
China has said it opposes escalation of the conflict and would play a constructive role in bringing about a peace settlement.
Why It Matters
China is a major strategic partner of Russia, and has supported its sanctions-hit economy with large-scale purchases of oil. Zelensky has in the past blamed China for not helping to stop the Russian invasion in 2022, and for subsequently aiding Moscow.
Zelensky met President Donald Trump at the White House on August 18 as the U.S. president stepped up a diplomatic push to end the war triggered by Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Trump, who met Putin for talks in Alaska on August 15, had raised the prospect of a trilateral meeting with Zelensky but no progress on that plan has materialized and it seems increasingly unlikely that Putin and Zelensky will meet.
The persistent Russian attacks on Ukraine will underscore the position that Zelensky and his European allies have long held, that a ceasefire is needed for peace talks to get going.
What To Know
Zelensky, in a post on X, said the latest “massive” Russian attacks with missiles and drones “are a clear response to everyone in the world who, for weeks and months, has been calling for a ceasefire and for real diplomacy.”
“Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table,” he said.
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He said Russia does not fear the consequences of its actions and “still takes advantage of the fact that at least part of the world turns a blind eye to murdered children and seeks excuses for Putin.”
He called on China to speak out.
“We expect a reaction from China to what is going on. China has repeatedly called for not expanding the war and for a ceasefire. Yet this is not happening because of Russia,” Zelensky said. He also called for a reaction from Hungary, which is closer to Russia than other European Union members.
“We expect a response from everyone in the world who has called for peace but now more often stays silent rather than taking principled positions,” Zelensky said.
“And it is definitely time for new, tough sanctions against Russia for everything it is doing,” he added.
Guo Jiakun, spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, told a press briefing on Thursday, August 28, that there should be “no escalation of hostilities, and no fanning the flames” in the Ukraine conflict.
China, while supportive of Russia, has previously said it is willing to try to help end the war in Ukraine.
“We believe that all sides should uphold a common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security concept, and work to promote a political resolution of the Ukraine crisis,” Mao Ning, spokeswoman for the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a press briefing on Friday, August 22.
“China is willing to play a constructive role in this regard.”
The Kremlin says it wants to make peace, but has intensified aerial attacks and pushes along the front lines in Ukraine in recent weeks, rejecting calls for a ceasefire as it ekes out more territorial gains.
What People Are Saying
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo told a briefing on Thursday: “We call on all parties concerned to abide by the three principles of no spillover from the battlefield, no escalation of hostilities, and no fanning the flames. These are essential for de-escalating the situation and creating conditions for a political settlement of the crisis.”
Zelensky said in his post on X: “All deadlines have already been broken, dozens of opportunities for diplomacy ruined. Russia must feel accountable for every strike, for every day of this war.”
What Happens Next
Trump last week established a two-week timeline for determining diplomatic progress, stating both sides will soon know “whether or not we’re going to solve this or is this horrible fighting going to continue.”
Update, 8/28/25, 5 a.m. ET: This article was updated with new comments by the Chinese foreign ministry and more recent data on the death toll from the Kyiv strikes.
