Ukraine Wants "Dialogue and Negotiation with Russia" Through China

Plan to Invite Russia to 2nd Peace Conference
Uncertain if Russia Will Respond to China's Mediation

Ukraine has expressed its willingness to negotiate directly with Russia to end the war. This is interpreted as a preemptive move in anticipation of the possibility that former President Donald Trump may be elected in the upcoming U.S. presidential election this November.

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine / Photo by Yonhap News

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's Foreign Minister, met with Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party (also serving as Foreign Minister), in Guangzhou, China, on the 24th, stating, "Ukraine wants and is preparing to engage in dialogue and negotiations with Russia."

Although he added the condition "there are no signs yet, but if Russia is ready to negotiate in good faith," merely mentioning the possibility of talks with Russia to China attracted attention.

This shift in Ukraine's stance became noticeable after former President Trump was attacked on the 13th (local time). Two days later, on the 15th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced plans to hold a second peace conference, saying, "I believe the Russian delegation should also attend." Former President Trump had promised that if elected this time, he would end the war before taking office in January.

Ukraine did not invite Russia to the first peace conference held in Switzerland last month. China, which is strengthening its ties with Russia, also did not participate. The joint declaration lacked about ten countries that are members or prospective members of BRICS, the emerging economies alliance led by China and Russia, resulting in minimal achievements.

Amid this, Minister Kuleba's visit to China to express willingness for peace negotiations is interpreted as an attempt to bring the "Global South" (mainly emerging and developing countries located in the Southern Hemisphere), where China has significant influence, into Ukraine's camp in addition to the West, which fully supports Ukraine.

However, even if China actively mediates, it is uncertain whether Russia will respond. Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, commented on President Zelensky's plan to invite Russia to the second peace conference, saying, "It is necessary to first understand what he has in mind." Russia does not recognize President Zelensky as a negotiation partner, as he skipped the election and extended his term citing the war.

Russian President Vladimir Putin last month set the precondition for negotiations as the abandonment of NATO membership and control over territories amounting to 20% of Ukraine's land occupied before the war. On the other hand, Ukraine maintains its stance that it cannot cede any territory.