Kuleba’s visit to China: Many questions, few answers

Yesterday, President Zelenskyy claimed he saw “a clear signal that China supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.”

I attempted to find this signal in official Chinese communications. It seems Kuleba must have provided the president with some sort of X-ray vision, as I found no evidence of such support in any of the three reports from Xinhua, the official state news agency of the People's Republic of China. The most recent reports on July 23, 2024, on the official website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs focus on Xi Jinping's congratulatory letter to the participants of the 6th China-Russia Energy Business Forum and congratulations to Kagame on his election as president of Rwanda. That's all.

Read also: China is seeking Ukraine's surrender - diplomat Chaly

What Chinese propaganda is repeating is that “Kuleba noted that China is a great country. Ukraine and China have established a strategic partnership and are mutually important trade and economic partners. The Ukrainian side supports China's position on the Taiwan issue and will continue to adhere to the principle of one China” (from the original Russian version of Xinhua).

Not a single word about Ukraine's territorial integrity! Even in general terms, as is typical of Chinese propaganda, “China supports territorial integrity” without specifying any particular state. It’s possible that, in typical Chinese manner, Wang Yi might have quietly whispered in Kuleba's ear that “Crimea is Ukraine,” but such statements will never be made publicly. According to Sun Tzu, “war is the path of trickery and deception.” China is at war, but not on Ukraine’s side.

Note where Wang Yi met Kuleba - not in Beijing. In China, symbolism is crucial. By hosting the Ukrainian minister in Guangzhou, the Chinese intended to signal that Ukraine holds a low priority for them.

Although Kuleba boasted before the visit that it was the first time a Ukrainian foreign minister had visited in 12 years, this did not prompt the Chinese side to host him in Beijing at a level appropriate for such an official visit.

The previous visit by a Ukrainian foreign minister 12 years ago also carries negative symbolism. That visit was by Yanukovych's Minister Hryshchenko, which followed the signing of the Declaration on Strategic Partnership between Ukraine and China. Interestingly, this document is not available in the official database, as it was essentially a declaration of strategic partnership between the Chinese Communist Party and Yanukovych's Party of Regions. Additionally, Kuleba seemed to overlook that the National Security Strategy does not designate China as a strategic partner of Ukraine. It is concerning for a minister to be unfamiliar with such basic documents of his country.

Kuleba should also remember that in 2016, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin visited China. He was hosted by Wang Yi in Beijing, despite it being a working visit, not an official one.

In general, it looks shameful when a Ukrainian minister acts as a propagandist for Russia's main ally.