On the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has commended parts of a Chinese proposal for a cease-fire.
China has requested talks between Russia and Ukraine, arguing that there must be respect for each country's right to self-determination.
According to Mr. Zelensky, the peace proposal from Beijing seems to imply "respect for our territorial integrity.".
Any agreement must recognize Russian rule in four areas that Moscow claims to have annexed, according to the foreign ministry of Russia.
The proposals, meanwhile, received a cool response from Western figures. Because Beijing "could not condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine," according to Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg, Beijing "doesn't have much credibility.".
Vladimir Putin, the leader of Russia, dispatched soldiers to Ukraine a year ago with the intention of capturing the nation's capital, Kyiv, and toppling Mr. Zelensky's administration. However, the assault on Kyiv was thwarted, the Ukrainian military was able to retake some areas, and the conflict has now devolved into a bloody attrition battle for territory in the eastern Donbas.
The 12-point plan from China adds little new ground because Beijing doesn't condemn Russia for invading Ukraine.
However, Mr. Zelensky said China's plan was "an important signal that they are preparing to participate" during a lengthy news conference to mark the invasion's first anniversary.
He claimed that he only saw the Chinese paper as "thoughts" and not as a firm plan, adding that he hoped Beijing would not arm Russia.
Beijing vehemently refutes the assertion made by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier this week that Beijing was considering giving Russia weapons and ammunition.
Without providing any further information, Mr. Zelensky also stated that he intended to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
"It's good that China started talking about Ukraine," he continued.
However, any agreement would have to take into account "new territorial realities," according to a spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry.
Despite not having complete control over any of the regions, Moscow declared last year that it had annexated Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.
Zelensky said victory "will inevitably await us" if allies "respect their promises and deadlines" during a lengthy news conference marking a year since Russia's invasion.
Poland claimed that it had already sent four Leopard tanks to Ukraine and that it was prepared to send more. Germany has announced that it will send 14 Leopard tanks, and Spain and Canada will also send tanks. The US, which has by far provided the most military assistance to Ukraine, is sending 31 M1 Abrams tanks, and the UK is sending 14 Challenger 2 tanks.
As a result of many countries on those continents voting with their abstentions during a UN General Assembly vote on a resolution denouncing Russia's invasion, the Ukrainian leader added that his nation had failed to engage with those nations sufficiently.
He said, "I think it's a big mistake that we didn't work well for many years, that we didn't pay attention.
When asked to identify his worst moment of the conflict so far, Mr. Zelensky mentioned Bucha, a town outside of Kiev where it is alleged that Russian troops killed civilians during the early stages of the conflict. Until Ukrainian forces fought back to retake the small town last April, it was under Russian control.
I observed. Mr. Zelensky, who was visibly moved, said, "It was horrible.
A new set of sanctions against Russia as well as new aid for Ukraine were announced by the US to commemorate one year since Russia invaded Ukraine.
The most recent restrictions target more than 100 organizations, including banks and suppliers of defense supplies, both domestically and abroad. The US said it wants to stop those who are assisting Russia in abusing loopholes to obtain materials that are subject to sanctions.
The latest round of U.S. aid to Ukraine is worth $12 billion (£10 billion), of which $2 billion will come from the Department of Defense (which includes ammunition and drones) and $10 billion will come from the State Department (which includes budgetary support for the Ukrainian government).
Both the neighboring country of Moldova and Ukraine will receive an additional $550 million to improve their energy infrastructure.
The war has had a significant impact on Moldova, the poorest nation in all of Europe. Its leaders have been announcing for a few weeks that Russia is attempting to seize control.
Days prior, US Vice President Joe Biden made a surprise trip to Kyiv and met with Mr. Zelensky.
