In a significant diplomatic move, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, in Guangzhou, South China’s Guangdong Province on Wednesday. This meeting underscored Ukraine’s willingness to engage in dialogue and negotiations with Russia to seek a resolution to the ongoing conflict. Kuleba expressed Ukraine’s preparedness for rational and substantive negotiations aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace.

Experts suggest that Kuleba’s visit to China reflects a recognition of China’s sincere efforts in mediating the Russia-Ukraine conflict. China’s influence as a major global power and its consistent commitment to promoting a political resolution to the crisis align with Ukraine’s interests. Analysts argue that relying solely on the US-led West, as Ukraine has done in the past, could lead to abandonment, emphasizing the importance of diversifying diplomatic engagements.

Wang Yi reiterated China’s belief that resolving conflicts ultimately requires returning to the negotiation table and resolving disputes through political means. He noted the recent indications of willingness for negotiations from both Ukraine and Russia.

Ukraine Crisis

The Ukraine crisis has entered its third year, with ongoing conflict and the risk of escalation and spillover remaining high. Wang emphasized China’s commitment to promoting a political resolution to the crisis, highlighting the four principles laid out by President Xi Jinping as the fundamental approach to finding a solution. On this basis, China and Brazil have jointly outlined six common understandings for a political resolution, including principles for managing the conflict, elements for a peace plan, humanitarian concerns, and measures to prevent nuclear risks and ensure the stability of industrial and supply chains.

Wang expressed support for all efforts conducive to peace, stating that China is ready to play a constructive role in achieving a ceasefire and resuming peace talks. He also highlighted China’s continued humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.

Kuleba emphasized Ukraine’s willingness to conduct dialogue and negotiations with Russia, stressing that such negotiations should aim for a just and lasting peace. His four-day visit to China, the first since the Russia-Ukraine conflict began in 2022, comes at a time of significant global geopolitical shifts.

Experts note that the global political landscape is changing, with potential implications for the Ukraine crisis. Following US President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race, there is speculation that Washington’s stance on the crisis may change. Additionally, calls for reduced aid to Ukraine are growing louder across Europe as domestic political landscapes in countries like France and the UK undergo rapid changes.

Recognition of China’s Role

China’s consistent role in promoting peace talks has gained recognition, as evidenced by Kuleba’s visit. Zhang Hong, an associate research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European, and Central Asian Studies of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, stated that Kuleba’s visit demonstrates Ukraine’s growing recognition of China’s role in fostering peace negotiations. Kuleba acknowledged China’s significant role in the pursuit of a just and stable peace, as highlighted in a video posted on his social media accounts. He stressed that China can play a crucial role in resolving the Ukraine crisis.

The potential return of Donald Trump to the US presidency has raised concerns in Kiev. Cui Heng, a scholar from the Shanghai-based China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, noted that Trump might force Ukraine to cede sovereignty and territory to quickly reach a peace agreement with Russia, making Ukraine a pawn in the power game between major nations.

In light of rapidly changing domestic and international situations, Ukraine finds it increasingly challenging to sustain a long-term war of attrition. The country can no longer fully rely on the US, Europe, and NATO, necessitating the search for new supportive forces. Experts suggest that China, with its significant global influence, is seen as a valuable partner by the Ukrainian government.

Recent statements by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hint at a willingness to negotiate with Russia, marking a shift in Ukraine’s approach. Zelensky suggested that Moscow should send a delegation to the next peace summit, which he hopes to hold in November.

China’s consistent promotion of peace talks is becoming uniquely significant in the context of recent US political shake-ups. Zhang noted that the West lacks influence over Russia, while Ukraine believes that China has a unique role in encouraging negotiations. From mediating the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran to the Beijing Declaration inked by Palestinian factions, China’s inclusive and comprehensive security concepts are gaining acceptance globally.

China-Ukraine Relations

During the meeting, Wang Yi emphasized the friendly and cooperative nature of China-Ukraine relations. He called for maintaining communication and exchanges, enhancing mutual trust, continuing the tradition of friendship, promoting goodwill among the two peoples, and fostering healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.

Kuleba expressed Ukraine’s support for China’s position on the Taiwan question, reaffirming adherence to the one-China principle. Ukraine hopes to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen political mutual trust, revitalize cooperation in various fields such as trade and agriculture, and enhance exchanges between sister cities at the local level.

Over the past two years, the US and some Western countries have attempted to link the Taiwan question with the Ukraine crisis, comparing two entirely different matters and encouraging some Ukrainians to cooperate with Taiwan, including military exchanges and training. Experts note that such a trend is concerning.

Cui emphasized that Kuleba’s statement indicates that Ukrainians do not accept the forced linkage of the Taiwan question and Ukraine crisis by the US-led West. He criticized the notion propagated by Taiwan of “Ukraine today, Taiwan tomorrow” as unfounded.

Experts believe that by engaging in talks with China, Ukraine has shown its willingness and readiness to negotiate with Russia. The main issue now is whether Moscow is willing to engage in negotiations. China’s diplomatic efforts and consistent promotion of peace talks position it as a key player in the pursuit of a resolution to the Ukraine crisis.

The meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba marks a significant step in diplomatic efforts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Ukraine’s willingness to engage in dialogue and negotiations with Russia, coupled with China’s consistent promotion of peace talks, underscores the importance of diversifying diplomatic engagements in the pursuit of a just and lasting peace. As the global geopolitical landscape continues to shift, China’s role in fostering peace negotiations gains increasing recognition and significance.