Spanish PM to discuss Ukraine with Xi Jinping on state visit to China

Pedro Sánchez expected to confront Chinese leader on peace plan, saying Ukrainians must ‘lay down conditions’

Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, will make a state visit to China next week to meet President Xi Jinping, where he is expected to stress that it will be up to Ukraine to decide on the foundations of any peace agreement with Russia.

News of Sánchez’s visit emerged on Wednesday evening, as Xi – who is trying to position himself as a mediator in the war between Russia and Ukraine – wrapped up a symbolic, two-day trip to Moscow.