AP Photo/Ng Han Guan
The Chinese Foreign Ministry is presently unable to verify the information regarding the dispatch of an official Chinese delegation to the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland. It has yet to receive any information on this matter. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning made this statement during a briefing in response to a question regarding the Chinese delegation’s participation in the conference.
«The Chinese are not inclined to pursue their own «peace settlement» project – the so-called «Four Points». It closely mirrors what the Russians imposed on us a few years ago», — stated Oleksandr Kraev, an expert at the Foreign Policy Council «Ukrainian Prism,» during an interview on Hromadske Radio.
«We are witnessing increasing reports of Chinese providing comprehensive weaponry to the Russians. Moreover, there’s a growing trend of them advocating for «bilateral negotiations between Russia and Ukraine» on the international stage, sidestepping established peace formulas and alternative formats. However, the Chinese have recognized that now is their final opportunity to bolster Russia’s negotiating stance and consequently weaken the West further», — elaborated Oleksandr Kraev.
In his assessment, Xi Jinping has opted to take a calculated risk and temporarily overlook diplomatic channels.
«To disregard diplomatic overtures entirely and attempt to secure better terms at the expense of Russian lives and equipment», — remarked the expert.
According to Kraev, the participation of other nations in the Peace Summit in Switzerland hinges on China’s stance, the position of the United States, and the stances of other major stakeholders.
«This signifies the commencement of a two-tiered diplomacy, where not only must we propose something, but also the willingness of others to engage in dialogue with us or not will sway the decisions of other nations. Why have we persistently sought China’s involvement in this summit and continue to do so? Because China’s participation unequivocally signifies the involvement of major economies from the global south. China’s involvement indicates the interest of countries like Brazil and South Africa in our cause. In essence, it involves regional leaders from areas with which we haven’t yet fostered strong relations. However, China’s absence presents an additional hurdle for us. Can we directly influence it? Unfortunately, not at this juncture. Until we persuade China, progress in this direction remains elusive», — Kraev emphasized.
The Peace Summit is scheduled to take place in Switzerland on June 15-16. It is expected to draw representatives from countries across all continents. Discussions at the summit will encompass various topics, including the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and strategies for achieving a just peace. For Ukraine, a critical objective will be garnering broad support from nations worldwide, including those currently maintaining a passive stance on the war.
The United States has confirmed its participation in the Global Peace Summit. However, the identity of the country’s representative remains undisclosed, as reported by Reuters, citing an anonymous source. Previously, there were speculations that US President Joe Biden might forego attendance at the Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland, as he is scheduled to be in California concurrently for a presidential campaign fundraiser. As of now, representatives from over 80 countries have confirmed their attendance at the summit.
In April, Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored that dialogue and negotiations represent the sole viable means to resolve the crisis in Ukraine, asserting that no one stands to gain from a nuclear conflict. Xi Jinping made these remarks during a telephone conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During the exchange, the two leaders discussed China-Ukraine relations and the «Ukrainian crisis,» with Xi outlining four points aimed at ending Russia’s hostilities against Ukraine.