In a significant diplomatic development, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Guangzhou on July 24, 2024, expressing Ukraine’s readiness to engage in peace talks with Russia. This marks the first visit by a high-ranking Ukrainian official to China since the Russian invasion began in February 2022.During the meeting, which lasted over three hours, Kuleba stated that Ukraine is prepared to participate in dialogue and negotiations with Russia, but emphasized that these talks should be ‘rational and meaningful’ and aimed at achieving a ‘fair and lasting peace’. However, Kuleba also noted that currently, there are no signs of readiness from the Russian side for such talks.Wang Yi reiterated China’s commitment to promoting a political solution to the crisis, warning about the risks of escalation and emphasizing that all disputes should be resolved through political channels at the negotiating table. The Chinese Foreign Minister also expressed hope for the healthy and stable development of relations between Russia and Ukraine.Kuleba highlighted that a just peace in Ukraine aligns with China’s strategic interests and emphasized the importance of China’s role as a global power in achieving peace. He also stressed the need to end the war, restore peace, and accelerate Ukraine’s reconstruction process.The meeting comes in the context of ongoing efforts to find a resolution to the conflict. Kuleba is expected to lobby Chinese officials to attend another peace conference planned for before the American presidential election in early November. This diplomatic initiative follows Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s recent statement expressing openness to talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.While the Kremlin has welcomed Ukraine’s willingness to hold talks, it has stated that it wants to see specific steps from Kyiv. The international community continues to watch these developments closely, as they could potentially pave the way for a diplomatic solution to the prolonged conflict.
Key points
- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba expressed readiness for peace talks with Russia during a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
- Ukraine emphasizes the need for rational and meaningful negotiations aimed at achieving a fair and lasting peace.
- China reiterates its commitment to promoting a political solution to the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
- The meeting marks the first high-level diplomatic engagement between Ukraine and China since the Russian invasion in 2022.
Contradictions👾While Ukraine expresses readiness for negotiations, it also notes that there are currently no signs of readiness from the Russian side for such talks.
👾The Kremlin welcomes Ukraine’s willingness to hold talks but demands to see specific steps from Kyiv.
