Ukraine's FM Kuleba meets Chinese counterpart to discuss peace in Russia-Ukraine war

Reuters reported the information.

Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba is set to visit China, marking the first such visit since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, which Beijing has not openly condemned.

"The talks have just concluded. They lasted for over three hours in total, longer than planned. This was a very deep and concrete conversation," a Ukrainian source in the delegation told Reuters.

Kuleba noted in initial remarks at the meeting that he expected "thorough and substantive talks on bilateral relations, the international agenda and, most importantly, the path to peace."

"I am convinced that a just peace in Ukraine is in China's strategic interests, and China's role as a global force for peace is important," he said.

The main topic of the talks was finding ways to end Russian aggression and exploring China's potential role in achieving a sustainable and just peace, according to the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Kuleba provided updates on the Peace Summit and explained the next steps in implementing the Peace Formula for a just resolution to the war.

Kuleba also reiterated Ukraine's position that it is willing to negotiate with Russia at the appropriate stage, but emphasized that Russia's current stance does not reflect genuine willingness to negotiate.

Background

On Tuesday, July 23, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba arrived in China to meet with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi for talks “on the path to a just peace.”

According to him, in Beijing, he will hold extensive, detailed and substantive talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the path to a just peace. The Foreign Minister will also discuss the development of bilateral relations with the Chinese side.

US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said it was important that China learns directly from Ukraine about the damage it has suffered because of Russia's war of aggression. He added that China is helping to fuel the fighting by supporting Russia's defense industry.