China tries to act as mediator in Russia's war with Ukraine

President Vladimir Putin. This visit is *** chance to show Russia still has friends in high places. President Xi Jinping said that China is on the right side of history when it comes to Ukraine. And he said he's committed to the 12 point peace proposal. China introduced last month which was criticized by some for not calling for the withdrawal of Russian troops. Putin warned about Britain's decision to send Ukraine its challenger two tanks equipped with ammunition containing depleted uranium. It looks like the West indeed is ready to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian. He said the meeting was held as Japan's Prime Minister, Fumiyo Kashi visited Ukraine also the same day that Russia released footage showing two of its strategic bombers flying over the sea of Japan on the streets of Moscow. There was praise for China and some reverence for Xi. He is of course very cool. Said this man China is *** friendly country and we hope for more cooperation. During their public statements, Putin mostly focused on trade, it relies on China even more now to buy its oil and gas which is increasingly shunned by Europe for Xi. Experts say there is *** plan behind his vague Ukrainian peace proposal, part of China's grand strategy in pushing back against the US alleged global dominance. Alexander Gabo says China wants to take advantage of Russia's resources and its now weaker economic position, but it needs to try to find *** way to make it more palatable. And in order to push back against Western criticism for leading too heavily on the Russian side, you need to come up with *** framework on how to talk about this. So X is framing these meetings as *** mission of peace instead of just *** visit to *** useful friend. Ukraine's President said he asked Beijing to join *** Ukrainian peace plan but is still waiting for an answer. Meanwhile, X extended an invite of his own to Putin to come and visit him in China. Briar Stewart CBC News London.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said Wednesday that Beijing will send an envoy to Ukraine to discuss a possible "political settlement" to Russia's war with the country.Beijing has previously avoided involvement in conflicts between other countries but appears to be trying to assert itself as a global diplomatic force after arranging talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March that led them to restore diplomatic relations after a seven-year break.Xi told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a phone call that a Chinese envoy, a former Chinese ambassador to Russia, would visit Ukraine and "other countries" to discuss a possible political settlement, according to a government statement.It made no mention of Russia or last year's invasion of Ukraine and didn't indicate whether the Chinese envoy might visit Moscow.The Xi-Zelenskyy phone call was long anticipated after Beijing said it wanted to serve as a mediator in the war.Why does this matter?China is the only major government that has friendly relations with Moscow as well as economic leverage as the biggest buyer of Russian oil and gas after the United States and its allies cut off most purchases.Beijing, which sees Moscow as a diplomatic partner in opposing U.S. domination of global affairs, has refused to criticize the invasion and used its status as one of five permanent U.N. Security Council members to deflect diplomatic attacks on Russia.Zelenskyy earlier said he welcomed a Chinese offer to mediate.Why did China do this? Xi's government has pursued a bigger role in global diplomacy as part of a campaign to restore China to what the ruling Communist Party sees as its rightful status as a political and economic leader and to build an international order that favors Beijing's interests.That is a sharp reversal after decades of avoiding involvement in other countries' conflicts and most international affairs while it focused on economic development at home.In March, Saudi Arabia and Iran issued a surprise announcement, following talks in Beijing, that they would reopen embassies in each other's capitals following a seven-year break. China has good relations with both as a big oil buyer.Last week, Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts that his country is ready to help facilitate peace talks.Wednesday's statement warned against the dangers of nuclear war, suggesting Beijing might also have been motivated by what it sees as the growing danger of a more destructive conflict.Mediating between Ukraine and Russia would increase China's presence in Eastern Europe, where Beijing has tried to build ties with other governments. That has prompted complaints by some European officials that China is trying to gain leverage over the European Union.Political science professor Kimberly Marten of Barnard College at Columbia University in New York doubted China would succeed in a peacemaker role."I have a hard time believing that China can act as peacemaker," she said, adding that Beijing has been "too close to Russia."What are China's relations with Russia? China is the closest thing President Vladimir Putin's isolated government has to a major ally.Xi and Putin issued a joint statement ahead of the February 2022 invasion that said their governments had a "no limits friendship."Beijing has tried to appear neutral but has repeated Russian justifications for the invasion.Xi received a warm welcome from Putin during a visit to Moscow in March. The Chinese defense minister visited Russia this month.China has stepped up purchases of Russian oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy, helping to offset lost revenue resulting from Western sanctions. In exchange, China gets lower prices, though details haven't been disclosed.Marten said the Xi-Zelenskyy call was "kind of a slap at Russia, because Russia has been very keen to portray China as its ally." She said the direct China-Ukraine contact "indicates China is taking at least a step away from Russia."What are China's relations with Ukraine? China was Ukraine's biggest trading partner before the invasion, though on a smaller scale than Chinese-Russian trade.In 2021, Ukraine announced plans for Chinese companies to build trade-related infrastructure.Zelenskyy's government was more ambivalent toward Beijing after it was clear Xi wouldn't try to stop Putin's war, but the two sides have remained amicable."Before the full-scale Russian invasion, China was Ukraine's number one trading partner. I believe that our conversation today will give a powerful impetus to the return, preservation and development of this dynamic at all levels," an official Ukrainian readout of the call reported.Qin, the foreign minister, promised this month China wouldn't provide arms to either side, a pledge that benefits Ukraine, which has received tanks, rockets and other armaments from the United States and European governments.The Chinese ambassador to France set off an uproar in Europe when he suggested former Soviet republics — a group that includes Ukraine — might not be sovereign nations. That was in line with Putin's comments denying Ukrainian sovereignty.Beijing then reassured former Soviet states it respected their sovereignty and said the ambassador's comments were a personal opinion, not official policy.Elizabeth Wishnick, of the U.S.-based think tank CNA and Columbia University's Weatherhead East Asian Institute, said in an email: "I wonder if Xi's call was set up quickly to deflect attention" from the uproar over the Chinese ambassador's remarks.___Andrew Katell in New York contributed to this report.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping said Wednesday that Beijing will send an envoy to Ukraine to discuss a possible "political settlement" to Russia's war with the country.

Beijing has previously avoided involvement in conflicts between other countries but appears to be trying to assert itself as a global diplomatic force after arranging talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran in March that led them to restore diplomatic relations after a seven-year break.

Xi told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a phone call that a Chinese envoy, a former Chinese ambassador to Russia, would visit Ukraine and "other countries" to discuss a possible political settlement, according to a government statement.

It made no mention of Russia or last year's invasion of Ukraine and didn't indicate whether the Chinese envoy might visit Moscow.

The Xi-Zelenskyy phone call was long anticipated after Beijing said it wanted to serve as a mediator in the war.

Why does this matter?

China is the only major government that has friendly relations with Moscow as well as economic leverage as the biggest buyer of Russian oil and gas after the United States and its allies cut off most purchases.

Beijing, which sees Moscow as a diplomatic partner in opposing U.S. domination of global affairs, has refused to criticize the invasion and used its status as one of five permanent U.N. Security Council members to deflect diplomatic attacks on Russia.

Zelenskyy earlier said he welcomed a Chinese offer to mediate.

Why did China do this?

Xi's government has pursued a bigger role in global diplomacy as part of a campaign to restore China to what the ruling Communist Party sees as its rightful status as a political and economic leader and to build an international order that favors Beijing's interests.

That is a sharp reversal after decades of avoiding involvement in other countries' conflicts and most international affairs while it focused on economic development at home.

In March, Saudi Arabia and Iran issued a surprise announcement, following talks in Beijing, that they would reopen embassies in each other's capitals following a seven-year break. China has good relations with both as a big oil buyer.

Last week, Foreign Minister Qin Gang told his Israeli and Palestinian counterparts that his country is ready to help facilitate peace talks.

Wednesday's statement warned against the dangers of nuclear war, suggesting Beijing might also have been motivated by what it sees as the growing danger of a more destructive conflict.

Mediating between Ukraine and Russia would increase China's presence in Eastern Europe, where Beijing has tried to build ties with other governments. That has prompted complaints by some European officials that China is trying to gain leverage over the European Union.

Political science professor Kimberly Marten of Barnard College at Columbia University in New York doubted China would succeed in a peacemaker role.

"I have a hard time believing that China can act as peacemaker," she said, adding that Beijing has been "too close to Russia."

What are China's relations with Russia?

China is the closest thing President Vladimir Putin's isolated government has to a major ally.

Xi and Putin issued a joint statement ahead of the February 2022 invasion that said their governments had a "no limits friendship."

Beijing has tried to appear neutral but has repeated Russian justifications for the invasion.

Xi received a warm welcome from Putin during a visit to Moscow in March. The Chinese defense minister visited Russia this month.

China has stepped up purchases of Russian oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy, helping to offset lost revenue resulting from Western sanctions. In exchange, China gets lower prices, though details haven't been disclosed.

Marten said the Xi-Zelenskyy call was "kind of a slap at Russia, because Russia has been very keen to portray China as its ally." She said the direct China-Ukraine contact "indicates China is taking at least a step away from Russia."

What are China's relations with Ukraine?

China was Ukraine's biggest trading partner before the invasion, though on a smaller scale than Chinese-Russian trade.

In 2021, Ukraine announced plans for Chinese companies to build trade-related infrastructure.

Zelenskyy's government was more ambivalent toward Beijing after it was clear Xi wouldn't try to stop Putin's war, but the two sides have remained amicable.

"Before the full-scale Russian invasion, China was Ukraine's number one trading partner. I believe that our conversation today will give a powerful impetus to the return, preservation and development of this dynamic at all levels," an official Ukrainian readout of the call reported.

Qin, the foreign minister, promised this month China wouldn't provide arms to either side, a pledge that benefits Ukraine, which has received tanks, rockets and other armaments from the United States and European governments.

The Chinese ambassador to France set off an uproar in Europe when he suggested former Soviet republics — a group that includes Ukraine — might not be sovereign nations. That was in line with Putin's comments denying Ukrainian sovereignty.

Beijing then reassured former Soviet states it respected their sovereignty and said the ambassador's comments were a personal opinion, not official policy.

Elizabeth Wishnick, of the U.S.-based think tank CNA and Columbia University's Weatherhead East Asian Institute, said in an email: "I wonder if Xi's call was set up quickly to deflect attention" from the uproar over the Chinese ambassador's remarks.

___

Andrew Katell in New York contributed to this report.

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