Chinese leader Xi Jinping says Beijing will send an envoy to Ukraine to discuss a possible 'political settlement' to Russia's war with the country. But there are doubts about its motivations and ability to play peacemaker.
Mr Xi received a warm welcome from Mr Putin during a visit to Moscow in MarchChina has stepped up purchases of Russian oil and gas for its energy-hungry economy, helping to offset lost revenue resulting from Western sanctions.Professor Marten said the Xi-Zelenskyy call was "kind of a slap at Russia because Russia has been very keen to portray China as its ally".
She said the direct China-Ukraine contact "indicates China is taking at least a step away from Russia".China was Ukraine's biggest trading partner before the invasion, though the trade was on a smaller scale than that between China and Russia.Mr Zelenskyy's government was more ambivalent toward Beijing after it was clear Mr Xi wouldn't try to stop Mr Putin's war, but the relationship between the two sides has remained amicable.
Mr Qin, China's foreign minister, promised this month Beijing would not provide arms to either side, a pledge that benefits Ukraine, which has received tanks, rockets and vehicles from the United States, European nations and Australia. The Chinese ambassador to France set off an uproar in Europe when he suggested former Soviet republics — a group that includes Ukraine — might not be sovereign nations.
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