Ukraine is counting on China's support, given its role in the UN Security Council and its upcoming presidency of the body. Ukraine plans soon to initiate a UNSC meeting and a resolution marking the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha emphasized Ukraine's need for China's support and invited his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, a member of China’s State Council, to visit Kyiv.
The UN Security Council will hold a meeting on February 24, marking the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, during China's presidency of the Council.
China's conducting of military exercises, code-named Joint Sword-2024B, to “deter separatism” in the Taiwan Strait was one of the reasons for postponing the meeting on providing weapons to Ukraine.
The issue of Russia's war against Ukraine was discussed in meetings with China's top diplomat Wang Yi during his visit to Washington last week, and the United States made clear that it would welcome China's productive role in bringing peace to Ukraine.
Volodymyr Ohryzko, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (2007-2009), has "zero expectations" for China's peacekeeping activities to end the war Russia launched against Ukraine.
The United States is open to China's efforts to promote peace in Ukraine, but all initiatives should be based on the restoration of the basic principles of territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of the Ukrainian state.
The United States and France share concerns regarding China's position that poses a challenge to the international order, including by providing some support for Russia's policy.
Every country which provides assistance to Russia in its war against Ukraine becomes an accomplice to aggression and a violator of international law. It is not in China's interest.
In the first two months of 2023, Russia increased its crude oil sales to China by almost a quarter. It overtook Saudi Arabia to become China's largest oil supplier.
China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang has said in a phone call with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba that China will continue to play a constructive role in ending the war and restoring peace in Ukraine.