The visit by Ukraine’s foreign minister to Guangzhou this week marks a significant step in Kyiv’s efforts to involve Beijing in peace talks, which China has so far largely ignored. The Ukrainian government is eager to engage China in discussions related to the ongoing conflict in the eastern part of Ukraine, where Russian-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces since 2014. Despite being a permanent member of the UN Security Council and having close ties with Russia, China has been relatively uninvolved in efforts to resolve the conflict.
During his visit to Guangzhou, Ukrainian Foreign Minister held meetings with Chinese officials to discuss the situation in eastern Ukraine and explore potential ways in which China could contribute to the peace process. The talks signify Ukraine’s recognition of China’s growing influence on the international stage and its importance in addressing global security issues. By reaching out to China, Ukraine hopes to gain Beijing’s support in pressuring Russia to comply with international agreements and cease its support for the separatists in eastern Ukraine.
The visit comes at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and the West, with both sides accusing each other of violating ceasefire agreements and escalating the conflict. Ukraine’s efforts to involve China in the peace talks highlight the country’s strategic diplomatic maneuvers as it seeks to secure backing from other major powers in its conflict with Russia. The outcome of the discussions between Ukraine and China remains to be seen, but the visit demonstrates Kyiv’s determination to involve all relevant parties in finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
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