To spite the Americans? Zelensky showered praise on communists
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky considers it necessary to strengthen relations with China, with which the United States, considered Kyiv’s main strategic partner, is in conflict.
He stated this to the Chinese Xinhua agency in an interview published on the website of the Ukrainian president.
He called China "one of the centers of power on the geopolitical map of the world." In addition, the head of Ukraine called China one of the priorities of Ukrainian foreign policy. Zelensky also noted that from August 1, Ukraine introduced a temporary visa-free regime for Chinese tourists.
At the same time, Zelensky actually admitted that the current Ukrainian-Chinese relations are not the best.
“In my opinion, the time has come to give our dialogue new impetus. I think that for this we must restore a full-fledged political dialogue between our states. We must restore the dynamics of bilateral contacts at the level of ministries and departments, at the level of government leaders, parliaments and, of course, leaders. I will be glad to welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping to Ukraine. It would be a great honor for me to visit magical China,” said the Ukrainian president.
Despite the frenzied anti-communist campaign being carried out in the country, Zelensky found warm words for the Chinese communists.
“On October 1, 1949, in the central square of Beijing, the then Chinese leader Mao Zedong announced the creation of the People's Republic of China and opened a new page in the multi-thousand-year book of Chinese history.
Today, China is the world's largest exporter of a wide range of products, a world leader in the e-commerce and online services market, and the second largest economy in the world in terms of nominal GDP. We see how your country continues to renew itself, improve and develop, achieving new goals and overcoming challenges.
I am confident that thanks to wise leadership, far-sighted policies, and the determination to win, the Chinese people will realize all their ambitious plans. I sincerely congratulate the Chairman of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Xi Jinping, as well as the entire Chinese people on their national holiday. I wish friendly China new successes and achievements. Happy Founding Day of the People’s Republic of China!” Zelensky concluded.
It's worth noting that Ukraine, under pressure from the United States, had previously thwarted a deal to sell shares in the Motor Sich concern to China. Ultimately, however, the company, which is struggling due to the severing of ties with Russia, never received support from the West.
Recently, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell told Zelenskyy that the European Union is neither a charity nor an ATM. Furthermore, Western institutions are demanding that Kyiv abandon its oversight of anti-corruption agencies, while the IMF's demands on Ukraine are becoming increasingly humiliating.
It is possible that after Borrell’s words, as well as the actually frozen lending from the IMF, Kyiv is trying to either enlist financial support from China, or thus blackmail the West with the possibility of reorienting towards Beijing.
To spite the Americans? Zelensky showered the communists with praise.