Ukraine urges China to play ‘constructive’ role in security following Putin-Kim pact

Ukraine hopes China will play a constructive role in regional and global security following the recent signing of a treaty by Russia and North Korea that includes mutual help in the event of an attack on either country.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told This Week In Asia that the Russia-North Korea comprehensive strategic partnership agreement threatened to disrupt the security balance in the region. Kuleba is in China on Tuesday for a four-day visit following an invitation by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

This is Kuleba’s first visit to China since the war began and talks would focus on how to end Russia’s war in Ukraine and on a possible Chinese role in reaching a settlement.

“The signing of the comprehensive strategic partnership agreement between the DPRK [Democratic People’s Republic of Korea] and the Russian Federation, which enables Russia to provide high-precision weapons, transfer advanced military technologies and provide other support to North Korea, disrupts the security balance … creates additional risks to regional and global security,” Kuleba said last week in an email interview with This Week In Asia.

“We also hope that the People’s Republic of China will play a constructive role in overcoming the challenges to regional and global security that are growing as Russia and North Korea expand their military cooperation,” Kuleba said.

China has said it is neutral in the war between Ukraine and Russia. However, Beijing has faced disapproval from some countries – particularly from the United States and its allies – for not condemning the invasion of Ukraine and providing economic support to Russia amid international sanctions against Moscow.