Ukraine watches anxiously as China's Xi visits Kremlin

Warsaw (AFP) – Ukraine awaits President Xi Jinping's visit to the Kremlin this week with apprehension, fearing that China may ultimately decide to supply its strategic ally with arms, influencing the outcome of the war. Lacking any lever of influence, Ukraine hopes that pressure from its Western allies on the Chinese leadership will help to preserve this fragile balance. "Ukraine will follow this visit closely," a senior Ukrainian official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. But contrary to claims from Ukraine and Western powers, it does not mention the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory. "Zelensky has been trying to communicate with Xi since August", but "China isn't picking up," said Poita.