BEIJING (AP) — A Chinese envoy was preparing to visit Ukraine and Russia on Monday, but there appeared to be little chance of a breakthrough to end the 15-month invasion.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government says it is neutral and wants to play a mediating role, but has given political support to Moscow. Beijing released a proposed peace plan in February, but it was largely rejected by Ukraine’s allies, who insist Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces must withdraw.
Li Hui, a former ambassador to Moscow, will also visit Poland, France and Germany, according to the foreign ministry. He gave no other schedule details.
Political analysts see little hope for a peace deal because neither Ukraine nor Russia is ready to stop fighting. They say that by sending an envoy, China appears to be trying to neutralize criticism of its friendship with Putin and alienate European allies from Washington.
Xi spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi by phone in April, setting the stage for the diplomatic push.
The trip “expresses China’s commitment to promoting peace and negotiations,” foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Friday. Wang said China wants to avoid an “escalation of the situation”.
Beijing previously avoided getting involved in conflicts between other countries, but appears to be asserting itself as a global diplomatic force after hosting talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March that led to them restoring diplomatic ties after a seven-year hiatus.
China has friendly relations with Moscow as well as economic leverage as the largest buyer of Russian oil and gas after the United States and its allies cut off most purchases.
The Xi government sees Moscow as a diplomatic partner to counter US dominance in global affairs. Beijing has refused to criticize the February 2022 invasion and has used its status as one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council to deflect diplomatic attacks on Russia.
