Chinese leader Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that Beijing would send an envoy to Ukraine to discuss a possible “political solution” to Russia’s war with the country.
Beijing previously avoided getting involved in conflicts between other countries, but has been trying to establish itself as a global diplomatic force after arranging talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March, allowing them Diplomatic relations had to be restored after a break of seven years.
According to a government statement, Xi told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a phone call that a Chinese envoy, a former Chinese ambassador to Russia, would visit Ukraine and “other countries”.
It made no mention of Russia or the invasion of Ukraine last year and did not indicate whether the Chinese envoy might visit Moscow.
The Xi-Zelensky phone call was long anticipated after Beijing expressed willingness to serve as a mediator in the war.
Why is this the case?
China is the only major government that has friendly relations with Moscow as well as economic leverage as the biggest buyer of Russian oil and gas after the United States and its allies shut down most purchases.
Beijing, which views Moscow as a diplomatic partner opposed to US dominance in global affairs, has refused to criticize the invasion and has called on five permanent members of the UN Security Council to stop diplomatic attacks on Russia. Has used his position as one of the
Zelensky had earlier said he welcomed the Chinese offer to mediate.
Why did China do this?
Xi’s government has played a larger role in global diplomacy as part of a campaign to restore China to what the ruling Communist Party sees as its rightful position as a political and economic leader and to support Beijing’s interests. creates an international system that
This is a sharp reversal after decades of avoiding involvement in other countries’ conflicts and most international affairs, while focusing on economic development at home.
In March, Saudi Arabia and Iran issued a surprise announcement, following talks in Beijing, that they would reopen embassies in each other’s capitals after a seven-year break. China has good relations with both as a big oil buyer.
Last week, Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts that his country stood ready to help with peace talks.
Wednesday’s statement warned against the dangers of nuclear war, suggesting Beijing may also be motivated by the growing threat of a more devastating conflict.
Mediation between Ukraine and Russia would increase China’s presence in Eastern Europe, where Beijing has sought to build ties with other governments. This has prompted complaints by some European officials that China is trying to take advantage of the EU.
Kimberly Marten, professor of political science at Barnard College at Columbia University in New York, was skeptical that China would be successful in the role of a peacemaker.
“I find it hard to believe that China can act as a peacemaker,” he said, adding that Beijing has been “too close” to Russia.
What are China’s relations with Russia?
The biggest ally of President Vladimir Putin’s estranged government is the closest to China.
Xi and Putin issued a joint statement ahead of the February 2022 invasion saying that their governments had a “friendship without borders”.
Beijing has tried to appear neutral but reiterated the Russian justification for the invasion.
Xi was warmly received by Putin during his visit to Moscow in March. The Chinese Defense Minister visited Russia this month.
China has increased purchases of Russian oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy, helping to offset lost revenue as a result of Western sanctions. In return, China gets a lower price, although details have not been disclosed.
Marten said that the Xi-Zelensky call was “a kind of slap on Russia, because Russia has been very keen to portray China as its ally.” He said that China-Ukraine direct contact “signals that China is moving at least a step away from Russia.”
What are China’s relations with Ukraine?
China was Ukraine’s largest trading partner before the invasion, although on a smaller scale than Sino-Russian trade.
In 2021, Ukraine announced plans to build trade-related infrastructure for Chinese companies.
Zelensky’s government was more aggressive toward Beijing as it was clear that Xi would not try to stop Putin’s war, but the two sides remain cordial.
“Before the full-scale Russian invasion, China was Ukraine’s number one trading partner. I am confident that our talks today will give a powerful impetus to the return, preservation and development of this dynamic at all levels,” an official Ukrainian readout of the call said. told.
Qin, the foreign minister, pledged this month that China would not supply arms to either side, a pledge that benefits Ukraine, which has received tanks, rockets and other weaponry from the United States and European governments.
The Chinese ambassador to France sparked an uproar in Europe when he suggested former Soviet republics – a group that includes Ukraine – cannot be sovereign nations. This was in line with Putin’s comments denying Ukrainian sovereignty.
Beijing then reassured the former Soviet states that it respected their sovereignty and said the ambassador’s comments were a personal opinion, not official policy.
Elizabeth Wishnick of the US-based think tank CNA and Columbia University’s Weatherhead East Asian Institute said in an email: “I wonder whether Xi’s call was set quickly to deflect attention from the furore over the Chinese ambassador’s remarks”.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)