China – Ukraine: Kiev Ready for “Reasonable Negotiations with Russia”

Ukraine is ready for “reasonable and constructive negotiations with Russia” to achieve peace. This is said in a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry following talks between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba in Guangzhou in southern China.

During the meeting, Kuleba, contrary to the anti-China and pro-Taiwan political line of Kiev’s Western patrons, expressed “full support” for the “one China” principle. Kuleba further stated that Ukraine “appreciates China’s constructive role in strengthening international peace and order.”

Having categorically rejected the peace plan proposed by Beijing during the year, this time Kiev has changed its tone: “After carefully studying the six-point consensus proposed by China and Brazil,” Kuleba said, “Ukraine has expressed its willingness to engage in reasonable and constructive negotiations with Russia to achieve a just and lasting peace.”

For his part, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for “healthy and stable development” of bilateral relations with Ukraine. Wang defined China and Ukraine as “two friendly countries” that develop bilateral relations on the basis of equality and mutual respect and that “consistently carry out mutually beneficial cooperation.”

Regarding the armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Wang Yi said China has always been committed to a political solution. Wang reiterated his country’s belief that “the resolution of all conflicts must eventually return to the negotiating table and that the resolution of all disputes must be achieved through political means.”

According to the head of the Chinese diplomacy, “recently both Ukraine and Russia have signaled their readiness to negotiate at different levels. Although conditions and timing have not yet ripened, we support all efforts to achieve peace and stand ready to continue to play a constructive role in the ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks.”