Although the military conflict in Ukraine is in its third year, the risks of its escalation still exist, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a meeting in Guangzhou with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba.
The crisis in Ukraine has entered its third year, the conflict is ongoing and the risk of escalation and spillover remains, Wang said. The Chinese foreign minister recalled that Beijing has always been firmly committed to promoting a political solution to the crisis and believes that everything eventually ends with sitting down at the negotiating table.
He also drew attention to the signals from Kyiv and Moscow about their readiness to negotiate and supported the efforts of all sides. Wang Yi also added:
“Recently, both Ukraine and Russia have been sending signals to varying degrees about their willingness to negotiate. Although the conditions and time are not yet ripe, we support all efforts that promote peace.”
Kuleba said at the same meeting that Ukraine is willing and ready to engage in dialogue with Russia. He emphasised:
“Of course, negotiations should be rational and have practical significance, be aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace.”
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky also recently spoke about the need to end the conflict as soon as possible and readiness for talks with President Vladimir Putin.
The Kremlin responded that talking in one tone or another about dialogue is much better than talking about the intention to fight to the last Ukrainian. Moscow also said it was waiting for concrete actions from Ukraine.
Meloni’s going to China
Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will visit China this weekend, Beijing said on Thursday.
Meloni will be in China from Saturday until the end of the month at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang, Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said in a statement.
During the trip, the Italian premier is expected to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping as trade between the two countries has surpassed $80 billion.
