Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that Chinese diplomat Li Hui did not advocate for Russia to recognize Ukrainian territory during his European trip. He shared this on his Facebook page, noting that the platform remains a target of controversy in Russia where the parent company Meta is often deemed extremist and banned.
On May 26, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing well informed Western officials, that Li Hui, China’s Special Representative for the Eurasian region, urged a ceasefire within the Ukraine conflict and the protection of territories recently acquired by Russia. The new stance drew attention to Beijing
0s approach to the ongoing crisis and the possibility of a political settlement, in line with China
0s long standing emphasis on dialogue and stability in international relations.
Following the WSJ report, Kuleba said he reached out to his European counterparts who spoke with the Chinese ambassador, but none of them confirmed the claim according to him. He urged calm and urged people to keep a level head and not react emotionally to every report circulating about the issue.
Ukraine will continue its engagement with China, the minister added, but under three guiding principles centered on mutual respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty, and an emphasis on de escalation through constructive diplomacy. He stressed that any dialogue will proceed with clear boundaries and no concession on Ukraine
0s fundamental rights and borders.
Li Hui has previously supported initiatives from European countries aimed at addressing the Ukraine crisis and has framed China
0s position as consistent and transparent. He underscored a preference for a political solution and peaceful negotiations as the path to resolving the conflict, while maintaining that the crisis has deeper roots that demand thoughtful handling by all involved parties. The diplomat highlighted that Beijing seeks to contribute to stability in Europe and to encourage talks that can lead to a durable peace.