The European Union will analyze China’s document on a political settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, EU diplomat Josep Borrell said on Sunday, February 26, in his weekly blog.
According to the diplomat, the corresponding document cannot be called a peace plan, since it largely reflects Beijing’s already voiced judgments on the Ukrainian issue. In some ways, the EU is in solidarity with China, in some ways it is not, Borrell pointed out.
“Of course, we will analyze it, but it is already clear that the key problem is that it does not really distinguish the aggressor from the victim, putting the parties on an equal level,” writes the head of European diplomacy.
On February 24, China published a position paper on a political settlement of the situation in Ukraine. Its goal is to continue its constructive role in resolving the crisis and achieving peace. Chinese Deputy Representative to the UN Dai Bing indicated that Beijing’s priority is a ceasefire and hostilities.
Beijing, in particular, called for peace talks, reducing strategic risks, guaranteeing the export of grain, ending unilateral sanctions against the Russian Federation and other actions for a political settlement of the conflict.
In addition, the Chinese Foreign Ministry called for strengthening the safety of nuclear power plants in Ukraine.
The day before, the UN General Assembly during a special session voted for the adoption of a resolution “On the principles of a just peace in Ukraine.” A resolution prepared by Western states on “the principles underlying a comprehensive, just and sustainable peace in Ukraine” was supported by representatives of 141 countries. Seven countries – Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Syria, Mali, Nicaragua, Eritrea – opposed, 32 states, including China, abstained.
On February 2, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov indicated that world leaders were not trying to persuade Ukraine to return to peace talks. According to him, Western leaders refused to negotiate, and also forced the Kiev regime to withdraw from the negotiation process at the very moment when there was still an opportunity to end it politically.
Since February 24, Russia has been conducting a special operation to protect the Donbass, against which Ukraine has been fighting since 2014. The decision to hold it was made against the background of the aggravation of the situation in the region due to shelling by Ukrainian troops.
