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China’s Ukraine plan ‘an effort to show it backs peace rather than Russia’
- Beijing’s recent initiative may be part of an effort to counter criticism from the West that it is supporting Moscow’s war, analyst says
- Xi Jinping is in Russia and Vladimir Putin says he is open to his visitor’s peace proposal ‘when the West and Kyiv are ready’
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China’s proposals to end the war in Ukraine may be an effort to counter criticism that it is supporting Russia and to show that it is siding with peace instead, according to an analyst.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip to Russia is being closely scrutinised as both nations highlight the strength of their relationship.
Xi has used the visit to restate that China is committed to seeking a peaceful solution to the conflict following the release last month of its 12-point peace plan, which calls for a ceasefire followed by negotiations to settle the war.
The Chinese leader is also reportedly considering a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed China’s peace proposal but said it could only be put forward “when the West and Kyiv are ready”.
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However, in the West the plan was largely seen as pro-Russian because of its failure to condemn Moscow or to ask it to withdraw from Ukraine, despite Beijing’s claims of neutrality.
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