China’s envoy comes to Ukraine ahead of G7 meeting for reason – Klimkin

He expressed this opinion in the Verdict with Serhiy Rudenko program on Espreso TV channel.

"The Kremlin spoiled the Chinese representative's conversation in Ukraine. Of course, not the essence, but the atmosphere was spoiled. These first conversations will be probing for the Chinese. The Chinese understand that we are preparing for military action and there are no prerequisites for any negotiations. China understands that if the military situation creates the preconditions for negotiations, then they will build the necessary personal relationships. Then they will explain the logic of their actions," Klimkin explained.

According to the diplomat, the Chinese realise that they are almost unique in terms of their possible influence on Russia. Without China's economic support, it will be extremely difficult for Russia.

"China benefits from a weakened Russia that is willing to talk to China. The Kremlin is China's junior partner. I hope that the G7 summit to be held in Japan will bring positive steps and progress, and that the EU will raise the stakes. We need not so much a militaristic victory as a global one. There should be economic isolation of Russia, sanctions, restrictions on technology, and psychological pressure. The visit of the Chinese representative to Ukraine is important for us, although it is a probing one. It is not for nothing that the Chinese envoy comes to Ukraine a couple of days before the G7 meeting. One of the most critical issues is the future security model for Ukraine. And this security model will be discussed during the G7 summit," Klimkin emphasized.

• On May 12, it was reported that China's Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui would visit Ukraine, Russia, Poland, France, and Germany starting May 15. The purpose of the visits is to find ways to end the war.

• The U.S. State Department considers the upcoming visit of China's Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui to be important in the context of Beijing's ability to learn directly about Kyiv's position on ending the full-scale war against Ukraine waged by Russia.