The Ukrainian foreign minister advised a top Chinese ambassador that any efforts to end the war with Russia must avoid the land loss or a frozen conflict.
Li Hui, a former ambassador to Russia and China’s special envoy for Eurasian affairs, paid a visit to Ukraine on Tuesday, where he held a meeting with Dmytro Kuleba, the nation’s foreign minister, on Wednesday.
China’s Position On Russia Invasion Raises Mediator Doubts
Notably, this marks the first visit to the Ukrainian capital by a high-ranking Chinese diplomat since Russia’s extensive attack on Kyiv in February 2022.
The Ukrainian foreign ministry emphasized that Kuleba provided the Chinese representative with comprehensive insights into the core principles of establishing a just and enduring peace, which entails the utmost respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
During the meeting, the Ukrainian official made it clear that any proposals resulting in territorial loss or further escalation of the conflict were rejected. China’s reluctance to characterize Moscow’s actions as an invasion has raised doubts regarding its credibility as a mediator.
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Pope Francis’ Endorsement For Peace Initiative
Chinese President Xi Jinping has proclaimed China’s neutrality and expressed a desire to serve as a mediator in the ongoing 15-month-long war.
However, China has been politically supportive of Moscow. Although Beijing presented a peace proposal in February, it largely went unnoticed by Ukraine’s allies, who demanded the withdrawal of Russian forces from the country as a precondition for any negotiations.
This update follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican, during which he sought the pope’s endorsement for his peace initiative.
The pontiff warmly welcomed Zelensky on Saturday, known for his commitment to ending the Russia-Ukraine conflict that commenced a year ago.
Following their meeting, Zelensky expressed gratitude to the pope for the privilege of the encounter, and Francis, in turn, thanked the Ukrainian leader during their 40-minute discussion.
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