US did not have 'advanced knowledge' on Xi-Zelenskyy phone call: White House

WASHINGTON

The US said Wednesday it did not have prior information about a scheduled telephone conversation between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"We didn't have the advanced knowledge that the call was going to take place, nor would we necessarily expect. These are two sovereign leaders, and we're glad to see that they did talk," White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters via a webinar.

He said the US welcomed the call. "We think that's a good thing.

"We've been saying for quite some time, that we believe it's important for President Xi and PRC (People's Republic of China) officials to avail themselves of the Ukrainian perspective on this illegal and unprovoked invasion by Russia," he said.

Stating that the US "obviously" was not a party to the call, Kirby said, "Whether that's going to lead to some sort of meaningful peace movement or plan or proposal, I just don't think we know that right now."

Xi told Zelenskyy that China will send a special representative to Ukraine, saying "China is consistent and clear-cut in its readiness to develop bilateral relations with Ukraine. Two sides need to carry forward the tradition of mutual respect and sincerity, and take the China-Ukraine strategic partnership forward."

Zelenskyy said his call with Xi was "long and meaningful."

"I had a long and meaningful telephone conversation with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. I believe that the conversation, as well as the appointment of the Ambassador of Ukraine to China, will give a powerful impetus to the development of our bilateral relations," he wrote on Twitter.