China Will Present Peace Proposal to End War in Ukraine

Beijing plans to roll out the framework of a treaty to end the war in Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced at the Munich Security Conference. At the international summit, America’s top diplomat criticized China and warned of a coming Cold War. 

On Saturday, Wang, in his speech at the summit, claimed President Xi Jinping will roll out a plan to end the war in Ukraine. “We will put forward China’s position on the political settlement on the Ukraine crisis, and stay firm on the side of peace and dialogue,” he said. Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani expects Beijing’s proposal to be released at the end of the week. 

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg slammed China for failing to “condemn” Russia and criticized the peace proposal as “vague.” Wang said there are some actors who oppose peace in Ukraine. 

“Some forces might not want to see peace talks to materialize.” He continued, “they don’t care about the life and death of Ukrainians, [nor] the harms on Europe.” Wang was believed to be directing the sharp rebuke at Washington. 

In March, Turkey nearly brokered a peace agreement between Moscow and Kiev. The Turkish Foreign Minister later lamented that some actors sought to keep the war going. “After the talks in Istanbul, we did not think that the war would take this long. There are those who want this war to continue,” Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on April 20. A few days later, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated an American goal in Ukraine was to “weaken” Russia. 

In his speech, Wang appealed directly to the European community, seeking to bypass Washington. “We need to think calmly, especially our friends in Europe, about what efforts should be made to stop the warfare; what framework should there be to bring lasting peace to Europe; what role should Europe play to manifest its strategic autonomy,” he said. 

In Munich, Wang met directly with Kiev’s top diplomat on the sidelines of the summit. China’s senior diplomat told Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, “we do not want to see the crisis in Ukraine prolonged and expanded, and are willing to work with the international community to avoid further deterioration of the situation and persistently strive for peace.”

After the meeting, Kuleba Tweeted, “We agree that the fundamental UN Charter principle of territorial integrity is sacred for both of our states.” He continued, “I reiterated that all initiatives aimed at restoring peace in Ukraine need to be based on it.”

Wang is expected to travel to Moscow before Beijing releases the proposal at the end of the week. 

On Sunday, Wang met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. In the meeting, Blinken slammed Beijing over the Chinese balloon that crossed US airspace in early February. 

The top American diplomat also warned his Chinese counterpart that if Beijing provides arms to Moscow, it will severely escalate tension. “China has been engaged in providing rhetorical, political, diplomatic support to Russia, but we have information that gives us concern that they are considering providing lethal support to Russia in the war against Ukraine.” He continued, “we see China considering this. We have not seen them cross that line.” 

If China crosses that line, it could spark a “new Cold War,” Blinken added.