Zelenskyy seeks meeting with Xi to discuss China's peace plan

Ukraine's President says proposal from Beijing is 'an important signal'

Supporters hold a Ukrainian flag at a solidarity march to mark the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Budapest, Hungary. Reuters

A protest to mark the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Berlin. Reuters

Supporters in front of Helsinki Cathedral during Light for Ukraine candlelight memorial event at Senate Square in Helsinki, Finland. Reuters

Representatives stand for a moment of silence during the United Nations Security Council meeting on the maintenance of peace and security of Ukraine at the UN headquarters in New York. AFP

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty, with Ukrainian ambassador to the UK Vadym Prystaiko, centre, his wife Inna and members of the Ukrainian Armed Forces outside 10 Downing Street in London, as they observe a minute's silence. AP

The Portuguese Parliament is lit with the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag, in Lisbon AP

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government building is lit with the Ukraine national flag colours. Getty Images

Supporters carry Ukrainian flags during a demonstration in Bangkok. EPA

Ukrainian volunteers take part in prayers and observe a minute of silence, in south-east England. Getty

Protesters near the Russian embassy in Seoul, South Korea. EPA

People lay flowers at a monument of Ukrainian poet, writer, artist, public and political figure Taras Shevchenko, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. AFP

The Eiffel Tower in Paris is lit up in the colours of Ukrainian flag. EPA

Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo speaks alongside the Ukrainian ambassador to France, Vadym Omelchenko, during the event. AFP

Watching video-mapping on the Czech Interior Ministry building, in Prague. EPA

A woman expresses her solidarity with Ukraine at the Czech National Theatre, in Prague. EPA

Activists place candles forming the peace sign in front of the Brandenburg Gate, in Berlin. AP

A police officer raises the Ukrainian flag in front of the state parliament of Saxony-Anhalt in Magdeburg, Germany. AP

A Vilnius University building is illuminated in blue and yellow in support of Ukraine, in Vilnius, Lithuania. AP

Ukrainian flags placed over the graves of fallen Ukrainian soldiers in a military cemetery in Kharkiv, north-eastern Ukraine. EPA

A commemoration event with a light installation at the Field of Mars cemetery where hundreds of Ukrainian soldiers are buried, in Lviv, western Ukraine. Getty

Friends and relatives of fallen Ukrainian soldiers take part in a prayer as Rays of Memory illuminate the night sky over Lychakiv military cemetery in Lviv. EPA

Rays of memory illuminate the sky over Lychakiv military cemetery in Lviv. EPA

The National Opera of Ukraine building illuminated by Swiss artist Gerry Hofstetter in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, in Kyiv. Getty

A woman takes selfies in front of The National Opera of Ukraine, illuminated by Swiss artist Gerry Hofstetter. Getty

A candlelit vigil in front of the Russian consulate, in New York. Reuters

Candles lit outside the Russian consulate in New York during a vigil to commemorate children killed in Ukraine. AFP

A silent candlelit vigil in New York. Reuters

A Trafalgar Square vigil organised by the Ukrainian and US embassies in London. AP

A vigil for Ukraine at Trafalgar Square in London. Reuters

The Trafalgar Square vigil. Reuters

Crowds gather at Trafalgar Square. AP

The Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, addresses the London vigil. Reuters

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace speaks at the vigil. PA

Actress and activist Helen Mirren addresses the London vigil. PA

Teddy bears and other toys left by Ukrainian refugees and members of the Avaaz global activist network at Schuman Roundabout, in front of the European Commission, in Brussels. AP

The EU Council and Commission buildings illuminated in the colours of the Ukrainian flag. EPA

Governor of the National Bank of Ukraine Andriy Pyshnyi holds banknotes marking the first anniversary of Russia's invasion on Ukraine, in Kyiv. Reuters

Supporters gather at St Mary's Cathedral Square during the 365 Days Strong rally and candlelight vigil in Sydney. Getty

France's ambassador to Ukrain Etienne de Poncins, left, and the French Culture Minister Rima Abdul-Malak visit Independence Square in central Kyiv. AFP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was planning to meet his Chinese counterpart after Beijing called for urgent peace talks to end the war in Ukraine.

"I am planning to meet President Xi Jinping," he told reporters on Friday as Ukraine marked the first anniversary of Russia's invasion.

"This will be important for world security," he said.

Mr Zelenskyy did not say when or where he was planning to meet Mr Xi but expressed hope that China would support a "just peace" and Ukraine.

China on Friday called for urgent peace talks as it released a 12-point plan to end the war in Ukraine.

"It's an important signal that they are preparing to take part in this theme," Mr Zelenskyy said, suggesting that Beijing did not offer a concrete plan but some "thoughts".

"So far, I see this as a signal — I don't know what will happen later."

He also called on Beijing not to provide Moscow with arms, something China has already said it has no plans to do.

"I very much want to believe that China will not deliver weapons to Russia, and for me this is very important," Mr Zelenskyy said.

"This is point number one."

The Ukrainian leader also said that any plan that did not include a full Russian troop withdrawal would be unacceptable to Kyiv.

China has sought to position itself as a neutral party in the conflict, while maintaining close ties with strategic ally Russia.

Russia said it appreciated Beijing's efforts to settle the conflict but insisted that any solution should recognise Kremlin control over four Ukrainian regions.

China's proposal was met by scepticism from Ukraine's allies.

Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg said Beijing "doesn't have much credibility because they have not been able to condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine".

"[Russian President Vladimir] Putin is applauding it, so how could it be any good?" US President Joe Biden told ABC in an interview.

And German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that while "every constructive suggestion that brings us closer on the path to a just peace is highly welcome... whether global power China wants to play such a constructive role is still doubtful".

China announced on Saturday that Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko would begin a four-day state visit on Tuesday.

Mr Lukashenko is a staunch ally of Mr Putin and has backed Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Xi and Mr Lukashenko announced an "all-weather" strategic partnership, when they met in the Uzbek city of Samarkand in September.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron said he would visit China in early April, in part to seek Chinese help with ending the war in Ukraine.

"The fact that China engages in peace efforts is a good thing," Mr Macron told reporters at an agricultural fair in Paris on Saturday.

"China must help us put pressure on Russia so that it never uses chemical or nuclear weapons, [an effort] which China has already made, and that it stops its aggression as a precondition for talks," he said.