February 17, 2024 at 11:20 AM GMT Updated on February 17, 2024 at 3:17 PM GMT
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that the current conditions are not conducive to peace talks aimed at resolving Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, despite Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba’s efforts to convene a meeting over the weekend.
Ukraine has been advocating for a high-level summit to be arranged next month, with potential postponement to April or May due to the lack of firm commitments from global leaders, according to sources familiar with the plans. Switzerland has expressed readiness to host the summit and has been gauging interest from various countries, including China, given Beijing’s perceived influence on Moscow, a key diplomatic ally.
Wang remarked during an on-stage interview at the Munich Security Conference that the circumstances are not ripe for parties to resume negotiations, refraining from elaborating on the reasons. He underscored China’s constructive efforts in the matter while emphasizing that his country alone is not accountable for resolving the crisis.
Kuleba, also attending the conference in Munich, sought to engage with Wang to persuade him to participate in the proposed meeting, according to sources speaking on anonymity.
A year earlier, Wang had announced during the same conference that China would release a document outlining its stance on the political resolution of the Ukraine crisis. However, the subsequent 12-point position paper was met with skepticism by Western nations.
Ukraine’s allies advocate for broader participation in any high-level summit, including representatives from emerging powers such as Brazil, South Africa, and India. While several countries, including China, have expressed the desire for Russia’s presence, Kyiv has rejected this proposal until a consensus is reached on the terms of a fair peace.
Despite efforts by national security advisers from various nations to lay the groundwork for a higher-level meeting, progress has been limited, with China participating in only one such meeting. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s peace plan encompasses adherence to United Nations principles, including territorial integrity and sovereignty, as well as the withdrawal of Russian troops and ensuring food and energy security.