President Zelensky Values China-Brazil Peace Proposal Does Not Respect Ukraine And Its Territorial Integrity

JAKARTA - President Volodymyr Zelensky has dismissed China-Brazil peace initiatives for the war in Ukraine "destructing", complaining that Kyiv was not involved in the process.

China and Brazil in May called for an international peace conference recognized by Russia and Ukraine, involving equal participation from all parties, and what they call a fair discussion of all peace plans.

"The China-Brazil proposal was destructive, it was just a political statement," President Zelensky said in an interview posted on Wednesday by Brazilian media Metropoles.

"How can you offer 'this is our initiative' without asking anything from us?" he continued.

President Zelensky said the initiative did not respect Ukraine and its territorial integrity, according to video footage uploaded by Metropoles, that Russian President Vladimir Putin should take steps to show he wants to end the war.

The Ukrainian leader also said he had offered to discuss the proposal with China and Brazil.

Reuters reported in June that China had tried to invite developing countries to join the six-point initiative, which was issued before a summit led by Ukraine in Switzerland.

President Putin said in May he supported China's peace proposal and this month proposed that China and Brazil, as well as India, could act as mediators in potential peace negotiations against Ukraine.

Beijing's 12-point plan at the start of the war received a warm welcome in Ukraine, while the United States said China presented itself as a peacemaker but reflected Russia's "false narrative" and failed to condemn its invasion.

President Zelensky's own proposal includes the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine, the restoration of the 1991 post-Soviet Ukrainian border, and holding Russia accountable for its actions.

He said he views the Brazilian government as "more pro-Russian" and added: "It is important to remember that Russia's love of interim and Russia's disrespect for the rule of law is permanent."