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“And I would like China to join the unified world position on the tyranny of Russia against Ukraine.

“As for now, China is balancing and indeed and has neutrality. I will be honest: this neutrality is better than if China would join Russia.

“I believe the people of China will do the prudent choice. It’s important for us that China will not help Russia. Some nations help the Russian Federation a little and they do not feel for themselves the influence this war has made on the whole world.”

The address drew an audience of 1300 in a Canberra theatre as well as 3500 viewers online.

Former foreign minister Julie Bishop, now ANU Chancellor, hosted 10 questions from students including one who asked whether Russia and Ukraine might ever mend their relations.

Zelensky said this was the “hardest question” because nobody in Ukraine wanted to have anything in common with a people who inflicted war crimes upon Ukraine, which meant repairing relations was up to the people of Russia.

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With Labor foreign affairs assistant minister Tim Watts and Liberal foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham in the audience, the Ukrainian leader rubbished the idea that Russian President Vladimir Putin would be interested in a settlement that could “save face” and end the war.

“The one who wants to save face doesn’t commit the hundreds and thousands of military crimes and crimes against humanity, doesn’t commit the massive executions of a peaceful population, doesn’t put them on their knees and kill them with a shot in their back,” he said.

Zelensky listed crimes including rape and torture and dismissed the idea of saving face for people who had committed those crimes.

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here.