China Hesitates on Attending Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland

China Hesitates on Attending Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland/Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Dil Bar Irshad | May 31, 2024 | 10:15 PM IST | China, World | Follow on Google News

China Hesitates on Attending Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland

China Hesitates on Attending Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland

Key Highlights:

1. China’s Stance: China expresses concerns over the Ukraine Peace Summit’s arrangements and may not attend.
2. Conditions for Participation: China emphasizes the need for recognition from both Russia and Ukraine, equal participation, and fair discussion of peace plans.
3. Ongoing Diplomacy: China continues to promote peace talks independently and maintain communication with all parties involved.

China has indicated it might not attend the Ukraine Peace Summit set for June in Switzerland. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning cited discrepancies between the summit’s arrangements and China’s principles as the primary reason for Beijing’s hesitation.

Mao Ning underscored China’s commitment to Switzerland’s initiative but highlighted the need for an international peace conference to meet three critical elements: recognition from both Russia and Ukraine, equal participation from all parties, and a fair discussion of all peace proposals. “There is an apparent gap between the meeting’s arrangement and what China stands for as well as the universal expectation in the international community,” Mao Ning stated, emphasizing that these conditions are essential for the conference to contribute meaningfully to restoring peace.

Despite China’s concerns, Mao reiterated that China remains committed to promoting peace talks and will continue to engage with all relevant parties to foster conditions conducive to a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. This approach aligns with the principles outlined in the Common Understandings on Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis, a document recently issued by China and Brazil.

Switzerland’s Foreign Minister, Ignazio Cassis, announced the high-level international conference aimed at developing a common understanding for achieving a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. The summit, to be held on June 15 and 16, will gather heads of state and government from over 100 countries, reflecting Switzerland’s humanitarian tradition and commitment to peace.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland stated that the summit’s goal is to chart a path towards peace in Ukraine after more than two years of conflict, emphasizing that peace is a call to action reflecting the values and responsibilities on the world stage.

(Inputs from CNN)

Dil Bar Irshad

Dil Bar Irshad is a seasoned journalist, hails from Jammu Kashmir's Doda, covers political, social, business stories, index stories.