Ukraine: Beijing once again urges Kyiv and Moscow to resume peace talks “as soon as possible”

For the second time since the beginning of the year, China has attempted to mediate between Russia and Ukraine. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Thursday urged Kyiv and Moscow to resume peace talks “as soon as possible” during a telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmitry Kuleba, Beijing reported.

“China fears the crisis is getting worse and getting out of control,” Qin Gang said, according to a statement released by his ministry. “She hopes that all parties will remain calm, show restraint, resume peace talks as soon as possible and return to the path of a political settlement. “We discussed the importance of the principle of territorial integrity,” Dmitry Kuleba wrote on Twitter.

This is the first official meeting between the two men since Qin Gang became China’s foreign minister in late December.

At the end of February, China published a 12-point document already calling on Moscow and Kyiv for peace talks. The text also opposed any use of nuclear weapons and called for respect for the territorial integrity of all countries, including Ukraine, part of whose territory is under Russian control. This Chinese document was received with caution in the West, since officially neutral China has never publicly condemned Russia.

Qin Gang reiterated his support for China’s 12-point document on Thursday, while confirming that Beijing has so far “taken an objective and fair position on the Ukrainian issue.” “China will continue to play a constructive role to achieve a ceasefire and hostilities, to mitigate the crisis and ensure a return to peace,” he said, emphasizing. “We hope that Ukraine and Russia (…), despite the difficulties and challenges, will not close the door to a political settlement. »

Swap Zelensky and Xi?

Chinese diplomacy seeks to impose itself as a mediator in this conflict. However, her position as a close partner of Moscow disqualifies her in the eyes of a number of Western countries, but not Ukraine, which seems to be counting on her support. Volodymyr Zelensky assured at the end of February that he intended to go to Beijing to meet with Xi Jinping there.

On Thursday, the White House calculated that such a conversation would be “a good thing.” “We think it’s very important that the Chinese hear the Ukrainians’ point of view, and not just the point of view of (Vladimir) Putin,” said White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby.

So far, Washington has only expressed fears that Beijing is supplying weapons to Moscow. American sources did warn in February about the risks of a potential delivery of a Chinese drone to the Russian army.

The Wall Street Journal said earlier this week that Xi Jinping plans to speak with his Ukrainian counterpart soon, in what would be their first conversation since Russia invaded Ukraine just over a year ago. According to the publication, the conversation may take place after the visit of the Chinese president to Moscow scheduled for next week.