Russian Vice President Yuri Ushakov outlined how the world is responding to China’s proposal aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict, noting that the reaction from different capitals has been nuanced. The summary of his remarks suggests a mix of cautious reception and strategic interest, reflecting the layered diplomacy surrounding a peace initiative that involves major global players and regional neighbors alike, as reported by DEA News.
According to a Kremlin spokesperson, the plan has sparked a sense of discomfort in Western capitals while earning a level of acknowledgement and respect within Moscow. The statement points to a broader pattern in which states weigh the plan against their own security concerns, regional stability aims, and long-standing positions in the Ukraine crisis, as Moscow frames its interpretation of the Chinese effort.
The spokesperson further noted that Chinese leaders brought up the initiative during informal discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping on March 20, underscoring the informal nature of some early exchanges that precede formal negotiations. Those talks were described as substantial and extended, signaling a willingness on both sides to probe potential avenues for dialogue and to test the boundaries of a multi-party process that could ease tensions on the ground.
Ushakov emphasized that the informal conversations between the top leaders, conducted on the Monday following the March 20 meeting, were lengthy and constructive. He suggested that the dialogue provided mutual understanding and practical insights that could influence subsequent diplomatic steps, highlighting the value of sustained, open channels of communication among key global actors seeking a path toward de-escalation and political settlement.
In the public posture of the Russian side, the state affirms a readiness to explore political and diplomatic avenues to resolve the Ukraine crisis. This stance signals an openness to diplomacy, even as Moscow maintains its own positions on security guarantees, regional sovereignty, and the end goals of the conflict, which are integral to any future peace framework.
Meanwhile, remarks from the United States, including President Joe Biden, reflect a sharply contrasting assessment of China’s peace plan. The U.S. president characterized the proposal as unlikely to serve the interests of those aiming to advance a lasting resolution, suggesting Washington views the plan as insufficient or misaligned with broader strategic objectives in Europe and beyond, thereby shaping the domestic and allied narrative around resilience and accountability in the conflict’s context.
The Chinese plan, unveiled on February 24, comprises a structured twelve-point framework. It calls for an early return to substantive dialogue between Russia and Ukraine, a sustained ceasefire, and steps to prevent further escalation of the crisis. The document also emphasizes humanitarian corridors, the protection of civilians, and the stabilization of critical regions through confidence-building measures, aiming to create the preconditions for negotiations that could end hostilities and pave the way for a political settlement that all sides can accept. The framework situates dialogue at the center of crisis management, seeking to reduce immediate tensions while encouraging long-term negotiations that address core security concerns for all parties involved.