The keys to China’s peace plan to end the war in Ukraine that the West has received with skepticism

A year after the start of the Russian invasion in Ukrainethe government of Chinaled by Xi Jinping, presented a peace plan to end the armed conflict.

The proposal -published this Friday- occurs after a symbolic meeting between the Russian president Vladimir Putin and the head of Chinese diplomacy, wang yilast Wednesday in Moscow.

Look: Who have been Russia’s allies during this first year of the invasion of Ukraine?

At the meeting, both countries expressed their interest in deepening their strategic cooperation and reaching new trade agreements this year.

Since the war began, China has become a crucial partner for Russia.

Beijing has absorbed a large part of Russian hydrocarbon exports, thus softening the impact of Western sanctions on the economy of the Eurasian country.

The head of Chinese diplomacy, Wang Yi and the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. (EPA)

The West has insisted that China help end the conflict since the start of the invasion. The recently presented plan is seen as a sign in that direction.

But what specifically is China proposing with its peace plan? And what has been the reaction of Ukraine and the West to the proposal?

Weapons, sanctions and sovereignty…

The Chinese government’s proposal, released by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, comprises 12 points.

Among Xi Jinping’s greatest concerns is the ceasefire on both sides, avoiding the use of nuclear weapons at all costs, respect for the sovereignty of countries and the end of unilateral sanctions.

Below we detail the 12 proposals:

A year has passed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began. (GETTY IMAGES)

Skepticism in the West

Ukraine called China’s plan a “good sign.”

However, the Ukrainian chargé d’affaires in Beijing, Zhanna Leshchynska, He added that he hopes the country led by Xi Jinping will be more active in supporting Kiev.

Western leaders, meanwhile, are skeptical of the plan proposed by China.

“We will look at the principles, of course, but we will look at them in the context of China taking sides,” he said. Ursula von der LeyenPresident of the European Commission.

“It is not a peace plan,” he added to the press on a visit to Estonia.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas. (GETTY IMAGES)

For his part, Jens StoltenbergNATO Secretary General, indicated that “China does not have much credibility because it has not been able to condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine.”

From the United States, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said on CNN that China’s proposal should have ended after the first point, which calls for “respect the sovereignty of all countries.”

“The war could end tomorrow if Russia stops attacking Ukraine and withdraws its forces,” he added.

Source: Elcomercio