Ukraine's Foreign Ministry calls on China to show its "balanced position"

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry issued a statement on its official website. 

It emphasized that it had taken into account the words of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who explained the decision not to send a representative of Beijing to the summit in Switzerland by the lack of conditions for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.

"China rightfully declares its respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states, as well as its intention to make every effort for peace... We believe that all states that sincerely want peace to be restored should work together to ensure the Summit is success rather than making efforts to undermine it," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry emphasized. 

They also emphasized that the participation of China's high representative in the summit could be a good opportunity to make a practical contribution to achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and restoring its territorial integrity. 

"With four leader summits between China and the aggressor state Russia since the start of the full-scale invasion, this would be a significant signal of China's balanced position," the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said. 

The ministry also noted that Ukraine, as the country on whose territory the war is taking place and as a party that is fully suffering from the devastating consequences of Russian aggression, should determine what peace should look like. 

"The only just foundation for achieving such peace is President Zelenskyy’s Peace Formula," the Foreign Ministry summarized. 

The Peace Summit will take place in Lucerne on June 15-16. 

June 2024 Ukraine Peace Summit: details

On February 26, Switzerland announced its intention to hold a Peace Summit for Ukraine by the summer. 

On March 18, Chinese Ambassador to Switzerland Wang Shi-ting said that China is considering participating in the Peace Summit, which is being organized by Switzerland at the request of Ukraine.

On May 2, the Swiss Foreign Ministry said that Russia should participate in the Peace Summit, as "a peace process without Russia is unthinkable." However, this time Moscow was not invited to the event.

On May 31, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that China would not participate in the Peace Summit in Switzerland on June 15 and 16, given Russia's absence. 

On June 2, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused China of helping Russia to diplomatically disrupt the summit.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that China and Russia are carrying out large-scale opposition to the Peace Summit.