President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at a meeting in Kyiev. (Archive photo: AFP/VNA)

In an AP interview on Wednesday, Zelensky said he is ready to meet Xi in Kyiev.

If it happens, the meeting will be of huge significance. It will be the first visit by a Chinese leader to Ukraine in more than a year, and reflect Beijing's desire to serve as a peacemaker.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, asked about the meeting between Xi and Zelenskyy, said Russian authorities “highly appreciate” China’s balanced position on the issue, adding that Russia believes Xi will personally decide the appropriateness of certain contacts.

In Washington, John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, said the US supports negotiations between Xi and Zelensky.

Last month China unveiled a 12-point peace plan which emphasizes dialogue and negotiation. The Ukrainian President welcomed Beijing's diplomatic commitments while ruling out any possibility of negotiation as long as Russia does not withdraw all its troops from its territory.