Ukraine war: China calls for direct peace talks with Russia, offers help to ‘build bridges’

There were “no winners in conflicts and confrontations” and all conflicts must end around the negotiation table, Geng added.

Geng’s statement came during a second shuttle diplomacy trip in less than a year by Beijing’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui.

In his meeting with Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Galuzin on March 2, Li also agreed that Russia should be included in any peace settlement for Ukraine, according to Moscow’s foreign ministry.

But there is scepticism in the West about China’s peace efforts, given Beijing’s close ties with Moscow.

Meeting Li in Brussels on Monday, European Union officials again urged China to curb the exports of dual-use equipment to Russia that could aid the Russian military.

EU locks horns with China’s envoy on Ukraine, as schisms on war remain

Beijing insists it is neutral in the war and has blamed Western military support for Ukraine for prolonging the conflict.

Though divisions remain, both the EU and Ukraine have repeatedly appealed to China to use its influence on Russia.

Li and Ukrainian officials meeting in Kyiv on Thursday discussed the possibility for China to help end the forced deportation of Ukrainian children. Li was also shown samples of the wreckage of a downed missile made by North Korea, another Beijing partner accused of militarily supporting Russia’s invasion.

A brief Chinese foreign ministry statement said Li held “candid and friendly” talks with Ukrainian officials.