China Proposes Cease-Fire, Peace Talks for Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Num relance

• China has called for a cease-fire and peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
• China’s 12-point proposal calls for the territorial integrity of all countries to be respected.
• Russia welcomed the proposal and Ukraine has said it will not agree to any peace without the return of all its territory.
• China abstained when the U.N. General Assembly approved a nonbinding resolution that calls for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw its forces.
• U.S.-China relations have hit a historic low over Taiwan, disputes over trade and technology, human rights, and China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea.

Os detalhes

China Calls for Cease-Fire and Peace Talks

China has called for a cease-fire and peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautiously welcoming Beijing’s involvement.

Beijing claims to have a neutral stance in the war, but has also said it has a “no limits friendship” with Russia and has refused to criticize Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

China’s Proposal

China’s Foreign Ministry released a plan which mainly reiterated long-held positions.

The 12-point proposal calls for the territorial integrity of all countries to be respected, but does not say what will happen to the regions Russia has occupied since the invasion.

It also calls for an end to “unilateral” sanctions on Russia, indirectly criticizes the expansion of the NATO alliance, and condemns threats of nuclear force.

Reactions to China’s Proposal

Russia’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the proposal and said it shares China’s ideas, including the rejection of Western sanctions.

Ukraine has said it will not agree to any peace without the return of all its territory.

U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said his first reaction to the proposal was that “it could stop at point one, which is: Respect the sovereignty of all nations.” German government spokesman Wolfgang Buchner said the Chinese proposal contained several important points, but was missing a key one: “first and foremost the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.”

China abstained Thursday when the U.N. General Assembly approved a nonbinding resolution that calls for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw its forces.

China’s proposal also urges measures to prevent attacks on civilians, keep nuclear facilities safe, establish humanitarian corridors and ensure the export of grain.

The U.S. recently said China may be preparing to provide Russia with military aid, an allegation that Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin called “nothing more than slander and smears.” Zelenskyy said his main goal was making sure China doesn’t supply weapons to Russia.

He expressed hope that China’s involvement could be useful in isolating Russia and said he’d like to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

U.S.-China relations have hit a historic low over Taiwan, disputes over trade and technology, human rights, and China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea.

It remains to be seen whether China’s proposal will be accepted by both sides and lead to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.