China and the US are the only powers outside Russia and Ukraine who can change the course of this conflict, writes Philipp Ivanov.
The one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine this week is a sombre milestone, reminding us of the enormous human toll of this conflict, but also of the failure of diplomacy.The week was marked by uncompromising statements by leaders of Ukraine, Russia and the United States committing their countries to victory, and in the case of the US – an unwavering support for Ukraine, leaving little hope for a peaceful resolution to Europe’s bloodiest conflict since 1945.
It is presumptuous to judge the merits of this initiative we know so little about. The world should give China an opportunity to make its case. But it is fair to ask if China has an interest, motivation, and influence to bring peace to Ukraine.Since the outbreak of the war a year ago, China has faced strident criticism from the West about its support for Russia. The US, Europe and Ukraine repeatedly called for China to use its influence in Kremlin to stop the war.
China is caught in what Carnegie Endowment for International Peace vice-president Evan Feigenbaum describes as a “Beijing straddle”. China’s commitment to maintaining a “no-limit” partnership with Russia collides with its much more consequential relationships with the US and Europe, the desire to avoid secondary sanctions, and be seen as neutral on Ukraine.
Beijing is interested in a weakened Russia, loyal and dependent on China. But a defeated and unstable Russia is a nightmare scenario for Beijing. Both Americans and Europeans are highly critical of China’s relationship with Russia. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week made public his concerns about China’s plans to provide lethal aid to Russia.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
China’s major intervention in Russia’s invasion of UkraineChina has marked the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine with a sensational plea to end the conflict through peace negotiations while targeting countries like Australia for implementing crippling sanctions on Russia.
Read more »
Year of war in Ukraine tests China’s ‘no limits’ relationship with RussiaThere are signs Beijing wants a quick political resolution to conflict as its patience with Russia wears thin
Read more »
China peace plan for Russia and Ukraine to ceasefire is ‘promising’Curtin University Political Analyst Professor Joe Siracusa says China's peace plan for Russia and Ukraine to ceasefire is 'very promising'. “I mean the Chinese have dreamed about this since the communist revolution in 1949to become the arbours of the world,” he told Sky News Australia. “Here they are willing to broker a peace between Vladimir Putin Russia which invaded Ukraine and Ukraine itself and its western powers. China's 'in a very powerful position,' he said.
Read more »
Joe Biden’s surprise visit to Ukraine sent ‘unsustainable war’ message to RussiaUS President Joe Biden’s surprise visit to Ukraine was a “great show of support” and sent a clear message to Russia saying this is an “unsustainable war”, according to Ukraine Defence Ministry Advisor Yuriy Sak. 'It sent a message to Russia that the tactics of fear that they were hoping would work for them, they don’t work,” Mr Sak told Sky News host Caleb Bond. “Ukraine is not afraid of Russia; the national community is not afraid of Russia, nobody is afraid of Russia.”
Read more »
Australia to send drones to Ukraine and expand sanctions against RussiaNew measures on first anniversary of Russian invasion form part of pledge to stand with Kyiv ‘for as long as it takes’
Read more »
A year on, Russia's war on Ukraine may be about to get even worseToday marks one year since Putin began Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Take a look back on the key moments during the last devastating 12 months, capped off by the UN's vote to demand Russia end their war. 9News DETAILS:
Read more »