China has signaled its readiness to create the conditions necessary for direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing a constructive role aimed at achieving a political settlement to the ongoing crisis. This position was conveyed by China’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Geng Shuang, who stressed that Beijing stands prepared to support the negotiation process in any way needed to foster dialogue, reduce tensions, and advance a ceasefire. The remarks reflect a consistent thread in Beijing’s diplomacy, where engagement and mediation are framed as essential tools for stabilizing the broader security situation in Europe and preventing further humanitarian fallout.
In the same spirit, Li Hui, who serves as China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, outlined Beijing’s willingness to work alongside other international partners to convene a peace conference that includes all relevant stakeholders on equal terms. He noted that such a gathering could help lay the groundwork for a durable ceasefire and a path toward political normalization, underscoring the importance of broad participation to ensure legitimacy and credibility in the process. Li Hui’s statements came after discussions in Berlin with Thomas Bagger, the State Secretary of the German Federal Foreign Office, where the risk of an escalation in Ukraine was acknowledged as counterproductive to the interests of the international community as a whole. The dialogue in Berlin highlighted a shared concern about preventing a slide into wider conflict and the potential repercussions for European security and global stability.
Beijing and Berlin, according to Li Hui, are prepared to coordinate efforts to facilitate a peace conference that involves Russia, Ukraine, and key European partners with equal standing. The aim is to create a framework that could lead to a ceasefire and its subsequent monitoring, in addition to negotiations on broader political arrangements that address the core grievances and security concerns of the parties involved. This approach reflects a careful balance between urging practical steps on the ground—like truces and de-escalation measures—and pursuing a political track that could produce a lasting resolution to the crisis. Li Hui also indicated that China’s mediation strategy involves sustained dialogue with multiple capitals to identify common ground and encourage concessions that advance the prospect of a political settlement.
Earlier, Li Hui met with Andriy Yermak, the head of the office of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, in a meeting that further clarified Beijing’s commitment to international mediation as a vehicle for stabilizing the region. The exchanges underscored China’s approach of engaging directly with key national authorities to align mediation efforts with the realities on the ground while ensuring that all parties feel heard in the process. The conversations in these diplomacy-driven moments illustrate Beijing’s preference for a negotiated outcome over escalating hostilities and reflect a broader international push to find a sustainable path toward peace that accommodates the legitimate security concerns of all sides involved in the conflict.