Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Kiev on Tuesday that he would try to convene a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council to call for better protection of his country’s airspace.
Comparing Ukraine’s position to that of Israel after a mass attack by Iranian missiles and drones was repelled last weekend, Zelensky said Ukraine would ask for air defense and missiles.
Ukrainians had the right to be protected from terrorism, Zelensky said, adding that Kiev was struggling to get real help from its allies.
Zelensky paid tribute to the German chancellor Olaf Scholz for seeking a solution to the conflict. In a conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday, Scholz emphasized China’s significance on the world stage. As an important ally of Russia, Xi is seen as someone who has influence over Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“China can really help us restore just peace for Ukraine and stability in international relations,” Zelensky said. Switzerland will host a peace summit in mid-June, to which China, but not Russia, has been invited.
China has launched its own initiative, which has been met with skepticism by Ukraine. It is not yet clear whether Beijing, which is pushing for Moscow to attend the Swiss conference, will attend.
“The summit in Switzerland will give all of us a real opportunity to effectively implement the UN Charter, its objectives and principles,” Zelensky said.
Ukraine insists that all Russian forces must withdraw from its territory, but Russia calls this ‘unrealistic’.
