Will China try to hinder Ukraine's counteroffensive?

According to official reports, the results of the resumption of high-level dialogue include the Ukrainian side's congratulations on Xi's re-election, the appointment of Ukraine's ambassador to China, and the dispatch of a Chinese 'peacekeeping team' led by the former Chinese ambassador to Russia to lobby for a cessation of hostilities and the start of negotiations on a political settlement.

Obviously, there is an attempt on Beijing's part to prevent the start of an active phase of the Ukrainian counteroffensive and to impose negotiations to freeze the current status quo on the battlefield. In order to avoid ambiguity in the content of the phone conversation, Xi has already recorded the key Chinese and, to some extent, Russian narratives about the 'Ukrainian crisis,' 'adding fuel to the fire,' and 'making money from war' in the message. The Kremlin's lightning-fast positive reaction confirms the Putin regime's support for Xi's initiative.

“There is an attempt on Beijing's part to prevent the start of an active phase of the Ukrainian counteroffensive and to impose negotiations to freeze the current status quo on the battlefield.”

What should the Ukrainian leadership do?

Xi's special envoy should be accepted, negotiations should be held with the session in Bucha or Irpin, and clear, pragmatic, tough signals and a vision of a just peace should be sent in accordance with international law, the UN Charter and universal values.

“It is very important that not only Kyiv but the consolidated West speaks to Xi's special envoy in Kyiv. Just as we advocate the principle of 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,' we must be on the same page with our allies when we talk to China.”

That is why it is very important that not only Kyiv but the consolidated West speaks to Xi's special envoy in Kyiv. Just as we advocate the principle of 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,' we must be on the same page with our allies when talking to China. We should immediately coordinate our approaches with key Western capitals, because Li Hui will be talking to them as well.

It is worth noting the confirmation of Beijing's desire to help. But to whom — Kyiv, itself, or Moscow? Xi's special envoy should explain everything so that 'helping Kyiv' becomes the only possible approach for China today and in the future.

And one more thing: diplomatic contacts should not be an obstacle to the plans of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to destroy the enemy and liberate the occupied Ukrainian territories of Ukraine. Negotiations from a position of strength yield better results.

Source

About the author: Kostiantyn Yelisieiev, diplomat, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine.

The editors don't always share the opinions expressed by the authors of the blogs.