Ukraine optimistic about Chinese conflict settlement plan
2023.02.25 01:24
Ukraine optimistic about Chinese conflict settlement plan
By Tiffany Smith
Budrigannews.com – On Friday, China called for a complete ceasefire in Ukraine, and President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he would consider some of Beijing’s 12-point peace plan.
China, Russia’s ally, urged both sides to agree to a gradual de-escalation on the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, cautioned against the use of nuclear weapons, and stated that conflict did not benefit anyone.
China’s position has largely been reiterated since Russia launched its “special military operation” on February 24 of last year, according to a foreign ministry document.
China has avoided calling Russia’s intervention in its neighbor an “invasion” or condemning its ally. Moreover, it has criticized Western sanctions against Russia.
The ministry stated in its paper that “all parties must remain rational and exercise restraint, avoid fanning the flames and aggravating tensions, and prevent the crisis from further deteriorating or even spiraling out of control.”
A senior adviser to President Zelenskiy stated that any plan to end the war must include the withdrawal of Russian troops to the borders that were in place when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. Kyiv’s initial response was dismissive.
However, during a news conference to commemorate the conflict’s first anniversary, Zelenskiy himself adopted a more receptive tone.
Russia stated that it valued China’s strategy and was open to assisting China in achieving its objectives through political and diplomatic means.
However, the proposals did not go over well with NATO.
“Because they have not been able to condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Tallinn, “China doesn’t have much credibility.”
Despite significant defeats on the battlefield over the past year, Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that he will intensify the conflict and has raised the issue of nuclear weapons.
China stated that nuclear weapons should not be used.
The foreign ministry stated, “Nuclear weapons must not be used, and nuclear wars must not be fought.” We oppose the creation and use of chemical and biological weapons by any nation, regardless of the circumstances.”
President Xi Jinping has spoken frequently with Putin, but not once with his Ukrainian counterpart Zelenskiy, ever since the war started just a few weeks after Beijing and Moscow announced a “no limits” partnership. This week, top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi went to Moscow for talks.
The necessity of a peace agreement mediated by outsiders was emphasized by the new president of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Lula made the following statement via Twitter: “It is urgent that a group of countries not involved in the conflict assume the responsibility of leading negotiations to reestablish peace.”
On Friday, there was a rumor that President Xi would give a “peace speech,” but that did not happen.
