Ukraine tells China envoy it won't cede territory to Russia to achieve peace
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Loading... - Gisela Arnold
- 18 May 2023
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Ukraine's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, made it clear to a Chinese official that his government would not accept any proposal to end Russia's invasion if it involved territorial loss or a frozen conflict. In a meeting with special envoy Li Hui, Mr. Kuleba discussed ways to halt Russian aggression, emphasizing the need for a stable and just peace based on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The response of Mr. Li and whether he met with President Volodymyr Zelensky were not specified by either the Ukrainian or Chinese foreign ministries.
In a separate statement, the Chinese foreign ministry announced that China and Ukraine had agreed to continue their collaboration. Mr. Li's two-day visit to Kyiv, which included meetings with Ukrainian officials, concluded on Wednesday. The itinerary of his trip also includes stops in Russia, Poland, France, Germany, and reportedly Brussels.
China has positioned itself as a mediator between Ukraine and Russia, showcasing its success in brokering the resumption of diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia after a seven-year freeze. However, doubts remain regarding China's neutrality, as it has refrained from labeling Russia's actions as an "invasion" or "war." Instead, China has consistently referred to the situation as the "Ukraine crisis." President Xi of China has emphasized a "no-limits" friendship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the two leaders maintain frequent engagement.
China claims to respect the sovereignty of every country, but this position has been questioned given the differing definitions of borders between Russia and Ukraine. Reaching a peace agreement has proven difficult, primarily due to the inability of Russia and Ukraine to agree on a starting point. Russia insists that Ukraine acknowledges its annexation of the Crimean peninsula and regions including Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia. Kyiv, however, has rejected these demands and refuses to engage with Moscow unless it withdraws from the occupied territories.
The ongoing Ukraine conflict and the Chinese threat are expected to be major topics at the upcoming G7 summit in Hiroshima, starting this Friday.
