China Advocates for Broader Support of Its Ukraine Peace Initiative with Brazil
On Tuesday, August 27, 2024, China reiterated its call for greater international support regarding its peace initiative for Ukraine, subsequent to diplomatic discussions held with Indonesia, Brazil, and South Africa aimed at rallying support for its proposed framework. Li Hui, China’s special envoy for Eurasian affairs, asserted that these countries represent the Global South and serve as “important forces in promoting world peace” due to their aligned viewpoints with China. Li affirmed that they have maintained communication channels with both Russia and Ukraine and are firmly committed to finding a political resolution through dialogue and negotiation.
Earlier this year, China and Brazil collaborated to generate a peace plan advocating for a peace conference inclusive of both Ukraine and Russia, along with a call to restrict the escalation of the conflict. Notably, both China and Russia were absent from a peace summit convened in Switzerland in June; Russia was not invited, while China chose not to participate. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously accused China of pressuring other nations not to attend this summit. However, the perception of China’s role has evolved, as evidenced by a visit to China by the Ukrainian foreign minister in July, marking the first official engagement since the outbreak of the war.
Despite the ongoing stalemate in diplomatic discussions between Russia and Ukraine, the dynamics of the conflict have evolved. In a surprising tactical shift, Ukraine launched an offensive on the Russian oblast of Kursk in August, suggesting vulnerabilities within Russian territories. President Zelenskyy articulated that this strategy aims to establish a buffer zone to thwart potential attacks on Ukraine.
Li Hui expressed concerns regarding Western military support for Ukraine, remarking that it has led to an escalation in hostilities. He stated, “All sides are worried that the West continues to relax conditions for Ukraine to strike the Russian territory with aided weapons,” alluding to the ramifications of such support on the battlefield.
The United States and NATO have characterized China’s actions as enabling the Russian war effort. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg notably pointed out that China supplies Russia with crucial equipment and microelectronics, thereby facilitating Moscow’s military capabilities. In a related development, the United States has recently imposed expanded sanctions on additional Chinese enterprises engaged in trade with Russia.
In conclusion, China’s advocacy for greater support of its Ukraine peace plan reflects its intention to position itself as a mediator in the ongoing conflict, while simultaneously navigating its complex relationships with both Russia and Ukraine amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
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