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Time could soon be ripe for China to lead negotiations to end Ukraine-Russia war
- Despite efforts by China to act as a mediator in ending the fighting in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to date it has had limited influence
- But with Ukraine’s recent failed counteroffensive and Western aid drying up, the time may have come for China to help broker peace
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As the war in Ukraine stretches into its third year, China’s efforts as a mediator, offering its services to help bring about a cessation to the fighting, have yet to win much success.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, China has often billed itself as a neutral arbitrator, capable of playing a bigger role in ending the war.
To that end, last year Chinese President Xi Jinping met twice with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, and in April he held a phone call with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.
Beijing also published its version of a peace proposal and sent a special envoy to both Moscow and Kyiv, with former foreign minister Qin Gang earlier saying that Beijing could offer “Chinese wisdom” to ease the crisis.
Despite this, China’s lack of success has been attributed by analysts to its limited sway over both sides of the battlefield, in particular Russia – even as the international community piled pressure on Beijing to exert its influence over Moscow to end the war.
But now there could be a turning point. Recent developments, including Ukraine’s failed counteroffensive, could present a window of opportunity for Beijing to again play a “leading role” to broker peace, analysts have said.
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Ukraine war two years on: disease, displacement and demands for aid
Ukraine war two years on: disease, displacement and demands for aid
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