Rishi Sunak urges China to 'encourage Russia' to end war in Ukraine
![Rishi Sunak has called on China to use its influence over Russia to end the war in Ukraine.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/17/07/84983767-0-image-m-3_1715926271834.jpg)
Rishi Sunak has called on China to use its influence over Russia to end the war in Ukraine.
![But as President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin put on a show of unity in Beijing yesterday, there seemed scant chance of No 10's request being passed on.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/17/07/84992027-0-image-a-14_1715926558347.jpg)
But as President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin put on a show of unity in Beijing yesterday, there seemed scant chance of No 10's request being passed on.
![The pair greeted each other warmly to discuss plans to boost their anti-West alliance. Unbowed, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said yesterday: 'We would urge China to encourage Russia to cease the illegal war against Ukraine. China has previously spoken out about the importance of protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity in Ukraine - something we have engaged China in at all levels.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/17/07/84983683-0-image-a-4_1715926287987.jpg)
The pair greeted each other warmly to discuss plans to boost their anti-West alliance. Unbowed, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said yesterday: 'We would urge China to encourage Russia to cease the illegal war against Ukraine. China has previously spoken out about the importance of protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity in Ukraine - something we have engaged China in at all levels.'
![Western officials are increasingly concerned over China's support for Russia, which has let Putin boost production of military hardware.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/17/07/84983681-0-image-a-5_1715926296874.jpg)
Western officials are increasingly concerned over China's support for Russia, which has let Putin boost production of military hardware.
![Superficially, China presents itself as a neutral observer of the conflict in Ukraine. But while it has stopped short of providing weapons to its ally, Western officials say China has provided drone and missile technologies and shared satellite images.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/17/07/84992007-0-image-a-13_1715926523421.jpg)
Superficially, China presents itself as a neutral observer of the conflict in Ukraine. But while it has stopped short of providing weapons to its ally, Western officials say China has provided drone and missile technologies and shared satellite images.
![Russia has also received Chinese turbojet engines, machine tools, microelectronics and optical components, dismissing back-corridor pleas by the US, the UK and France to stop these supplies.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/17/07/84981127-0-image-a-7_1715926345785.jpg)
Russia has also received Chinese turbojet engines, machine tools, microelectronics and optical components, dismissing back-corridor pleas by the US, the UK and France to stop these supplies.
![On the first state visit of his new term in office, President Putin will spend two days in the Chinese capital. Yesterday, Putin thanked Xi for his role in Ukraine and its 'peace plan', which includes Russia retaining territory it has seized.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/17/07/84991955-0-image-a-8_1715926426508.jpg)
On the first state visit of his new term in office, President Putin will spend two days in the Chinese capital. Yesterday, Putin thanked Xi for his role in Ukraine and its 'peace plan', which includes Russia retaining territory it has seized.
![Speaking in Tiananmen Square, Putin said: 'We are grateful to our Chinese friends and colleagues for the initiatives they are putting forward to resolve the problem.' In turn, Xi thanked Putin for his support, saying: 'China is willing to jointly achieve the development and rejuvenation of our respective countries, and work together to uphold fairness and justice in the world.'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/17/07/84991959-0-image-m-10_1715926445261.jpg)
Speaking in Tiananmen Square, Putin said: 'We are grateful to our Chinese friends and colleagues for the initiatives they are putting forward to resolve the problem.' In turn, Xi thanked Putin for his support, saying: 'China is willing to jointly achieve the development and rejuvenation of our respective countries, and work together to uphold fairness and justice in the world.'
![Putin's visit to Beijing came as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to the north-east region of Kharkiv, where Moscow's forces have seized more than 100 square miles in only a week.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/17/07/84983941-0-image-a-6_1715926313761.jpg)
Putin's visit to Beijing came as Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to the north-east region of Kharkiv, where Moscow's forces have seized more than 100 square miles in only a week.
![He described the situation there as 'extremely difficult' but 'still under control'.](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/17/07/84963145-0-image-a-11_1715926475635.jpg)
He described the situation there as 'extremely difficult' but 'still under control'.
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