Chinese Foreign Ministry declares readiness for dialogue with the EU on the Ukrainian crisis

China is ready to discuss with the European Union a political settlement of the situation in Ukraine. This was stated by the official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Mao Ning.

“We are ready to discuss with the European side a political solution to the crisis, we also expect the European side to demonstrate strategic independence and political wisdom and take decisive steps to achieve long-term peace and stability in Europe,” she said (quote according to RIA Novosti).

The diplomat stressed that China stands for a peaceful solution to the conflict.

From April 5 to 7, the head of the European Commission (EC), Ursula von der Leyen, will visit China. About this in the Chinese Foreign Ministry reported the day before, 3 April. Details of the trip of the head of the EC are not specified.

Earlier today, Ursula von der Leyen in an interview with the Financial Times statedthat the EU is concerned about China’s “friendly position” towards the Russian Federation, and called on Beijing to “constructively influence” Moscow. “You cannot be in the middle – you cannot be for half of the international order,” she stressed, referring to the PRC.

February 24 China introduced its plan to exit the Ukrainian conflict, which includes 12 points, including respect for the sovereignty of all countries, the cessation of hostilities, the start of peace negotiations, etc. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that China’s proposal is more like “expressing thoughts” than peace plan. He added that such an initiative is unrealizable without a clause on the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine. After that, Zelensky repeatedly stated his desire to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

China’s actions were criticized by the United States in late March, when Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow for a three-day visit. The White House said that China is not an impartial party in the situation around Ukraine, since Beijing “did not condemn” the conduct of the special operation and did not refuse to buy Russian energy resources. Washington also noted that Xi Jinping has never spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

In response to statements from the White House, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stressed that Beijing “maintains contacts with all parties” to the conflict.