On July 24, Ukrainian foreign minister Kuleba made his first visit to China since the war started between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022. There is no question that Kuleba’s visit and his talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi aims to end the war in Ukraine where the two greatest Slavic nations in Europe have fought for nearly two years and half.
To that end, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry briefed that his visit to China is seeking “common ground” in the pursuit of peace in Ukraine while trying to alleviate the strained relations with China through extensive negotiations. As it is noted that a just and sustainable peace in Ukraine is in China’s strategic interests, and China’s role as a global force for peace is important as well.
For both economic and geostrategic reasons, China has steadily maintained high-level ties with Russia and has pushed for an end to the war that would take into account the interests of both sides. Yet, that approach has put it at odds not only with Ukraine but also European Union states, which under the leverage of the United States, are demanding a Russian withdrawal as the basis for any settlement. For sure, Moscow simply rejects this ridiculous demand.
Although being invited, China did not participate in a peace conference in Switzerland last month that did not include Russia at all. Yet, China has reiterated that first, the peace conference usually aims to achieve a fair and decent peace benefiting each side involved. Second, both Russia and Ukraine should be equally invited to the peace meeting in line with the tenant of reciprocity. Third, the agenda of the peace conference should fairly discuss the issues such as how to rebuild a sustainable peace and mutual trust other than making efforts to humiliate any side.
As the chief of Ukraine’s foreign policy, Kuleba was aware of the necessity of persuading Chinese officials to attend another peace conference planned for some time prior to the U.S. presidential election in early November. It is clear that his visit reflects a calculation that any peace deal favorable to Ukraine would likely be a non-starter without China on board. This is also what the NATO summit in Washington admitted that China is a decisive “enabler” in the Ukraine war.
According to Hungary’s Prime Minister Orban who made his latest trip to Beijing where Chinese leader Xi Jinping called on world powers to help Russia, Ukraine resume direct dialogue. It is in Chinese official vital interests to maintain friendly and cooperative relations with Russia and Ukraine as well. Given the growth in trade between China and Ukraine, Wang Yi remarked that the ties between China and Ukraine have continued to develop normally “despite complex and ever-changing international and regional situations over the past years.” Therefore, it is necessary for China to play a balanced role in the peace settlement, and if possible, to make careful attempts to court Beijing away from its strong relationship with Moscow.
China has been committed to promoting a political solution to the Ukraine war from the very beginning. But, the reality remains that although it is in its third year, there are highly the risks of escalation and spillover in the ongoing conflict. Given this, China has put forward the four principles aiming for a political solution to the Ukraine crisis, e.g. “the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter must be fully observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries must be taken seriously, and all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be supported.
China’s peace proposals and efforts have garnered widespread support and response from the international community in general and the global south in particular. For sure, Beijing opines that all conflicts will have to be resolved at the negotiating table and that all disputes should be resolved through political means. As two great nations in Europe, both Russia and Ukraine have recently, to varying degrees, signaled a willingness to negotiate. Although the prospect for peace terms and timing are not yet ripe, China vows to support all conducive to peace and are ready to continue to play a constructive role in securing a ceasefire, promoting an end of hostilities and restarting peace talks.
In sum, China and Russia have been the strategic partners with “no limits” in view of the uncertain scenario. But Beijing also has seen Ukraine as a great country with all potentials. As a matter of fact, Ukraine was one of the first countries to support and participate in the Belt and Road Initiative. And over the past decade, China has been Ukraine’s largest trading partner and the biggest export destination for Ukrainian agricultural products in recent years. Due to this, China is sure to be glad to mediate the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Thus, China welcomes Ukraine ready to engage in dialogue and negotiations with Russia and finally to achieve a just and lasting peace that requires the negotiations should be sensible and substantive.