--- title: "On Independence Day, Zelensky Calls on China to \"Cool Down\" Putin and Not Stay Silent About the Nuclear Strike Threat" description: "In his Independence Day address, Volodymyr Zelensky called on China to use its influence over Vladimir Putin to prevent a new escalation and the threat of a nuclear strike." date: 2026-08-24T07:04:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/zelensky-calls-on-china-to-cool-down-putin tags: [ukraine, china, putin, zelensky, independence-day, nuclear-threat, diplomacy] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # On Independence Day, Zelensky Calls on China to "Cool Down" Putin and Not Stay Silent About the Nuclear Strike Threat ![Volodymyr Zelensky speaks at a microphone on Independence Day, urging China to 'cool down' Putin and not stay silent about the threat of a nuclear strike](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/24/zelenskyi-prizval-kitay-ohladit-pyl-putina/zelenskyi-prizval-kitay-ohladit-pyl-putina-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - On Independence Day, August 24, 2026, Zelensky publicly called on China to use its influence over Putin to prevent escalation. - The president stated that Ukraine has not asked other countries to fight for it, but called on the international community to provide the Armed Forces with everything necessary. - Zelensky warned of the risk of a new war beyond Ukraine's borders if the aggression is not stopped in time. - The address included a call for China to "not stay silent" and "cool down the eager" in connection with Moscow's rhetoric about a nuclear strike. On August 24, 2026, on Ukraine's Independence Day, President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered his traditional address to the nation, in which, alongside congratulating citizens, he made a sharp foreign-policy statement. According to RBC-Ukraine, the head of state publicly addressed China, calling on Beijing to use its influence over Russian leader Vladimir Putin to protect both Ukraine and the entire world from a new large-scale escalation of the conflict. ### Address to China: "Do Not Stay Silent" and "Cool Down the Eager" In Zelensky's view, it is China that is truly capable of stopping the Kremlin's leader, "before it is too late." The address contained direct criticism of Moscow's rhetoric: "China must no longer remain silent. When someone (Putin — ed.) dresses up in a sailor's uniform and cap and, mispronouncing certain words, talks about a nuclear strike, China must react, must cool down the eager." The president emphasized that Beijing should demonstrate its ambitions as a world leader "not only economically and technologically, but also civilizationaly," showing that "no dictators should threaten the planet with their old warheads." ### Appeal to the International Community and Warning of a New War Zelensky once again reminded that Ukraine has never asked other countries to fight for it, although, in his words, it is in fact fighting for the peaceful future of the entire world. Against this backdrop, the head of state called on the international community to provide the Ukrainian Armed Forces with everything needed to stop Russian aggression. He warned that if this is not done in time, Putin could start yet another war — this time beyond Ukraine's borders. ### Diplomatic Context: Negotiations, the US, and Holiday Security The address fits within a broader diplomatic context: earlier, in July 2026, Zelensky reported that he had discussed with the American side the role of China and its potential in negotiations with Russia. On the occasion of Independence Day, the Ukrainian people were also addressed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. It is separately noted that the Security Service of Ukraine had warned citizens on the eve of the holiday about the threat of provocations and sabotage on Independence Day, which adds additional context to the resonance of the address. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Zelensky Calls on China to "Cool Down" Putin After New Threats](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/zelenskiy-zaklikae-kitay-oholoditi-pil-putina-1787554954.html) - Основной источник: обращение Зеленского ко Дню Независимости с призывом к Китаю и цитатой о «ядерном ударе» и «старых боеголовках». - [Zelensky Says He Discussed China and Its Potential in Negotiations with Russia with Trump](https://www.pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2026/07/09/8043316/) - Контекстный источник (09.07.2026): подтверждает линию обсуждения роли Китая в переговорах с РФ, согласуется с темой обращения. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Who did Zelensky address on Independence Day, August 24, 2026? **A:** He publicly addressed China, calling on Beijing to use its influence over Vladimir Putin to prevent a new escalation and the threat of a nuclear strike. ### Q: What did Zelensky say about Ukraine's role in the conflict? **A:** He reminded that Ukraine has never asked other countries to fight for it, but, in his words, it is in fact fighting for the peaceful future of the entire world, and called on the international community to provide the Armed Forces with everything necessary. ### Q: What warning was issued in the address? **A:** Zelensky warned that if the aggression is not stopped in time, Putin could start yet another war beyond Ukraine's borders.