Li Hui, Beijing’s special envoy for the Ukraine crisis, has been on a diplomatic tour of Europe since May 16 to seek a political solution to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. After 10 days of meetings and meetings with other officials in Kiev, Warsaw, Paris, Berlin and Brussels, Li arrived in Moscow, the last leg of his journey.
The purpose of the trip is to listen to all interested parties and lay the foundations for a peace negotiation. But the envoy is unlikely to offer new concrete proposals in addition to those outlined in the 12-point programmatic document submitted a few days before the first anniversary of the outbreak of war. The Asian giant’s intentions are clear: with Li’s diplomatic tour, Beijing aims to appear neutral and portray a responsible power.
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Long (failed) lap
In meetings held to date, Li reiterated China’s twelve-point proposal for a political solution to the conflict on February 24, the first anniversary of Moscow troops’ invasion of Ukraine, which was viewed with suspicion in the West. The diplomatic mission of Beijing’s special envoy for Eurasian affairs has been on the sly since the first stop in Kiev, where Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba urged the Chinese envoy to respect national sovereignty.
“Kuleba briefed the special envoy of the Chinese government on the principles of restoring a sustainable and just peace based on respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity,” said the note from Kiev. He underlined that “Ukraine does not accept any proposals involving the loss of its territory or the freezing of the conflict”, but continues by reminding that it does not distract China from its position. In fact, the Asian giant wants to “find the greatest common denominator for the resolution of the Ukraine crisis and work for a ceasefire”. Translation: Ukraine should abandon the idea of acquiring all Russian-occupied territories, including those dating back to 2014.
In Warsaw, the Chinese representative reiterated his commitment to peace talks during a meeting with Wojciech Gerwel, Poland’s deputy foreign minister. Based on the document formulated by Beijing for the political settlement of the conflict, the Chinese envoy said that China is willing to strengthen dialogue with all parties to “gradually reach reconciliation and lay solid foundations for a ceasefire”.
The pursuit of international reconciliation is also highlighted during the Chinese envoy’s final two stops in Paris and Berlin, where Li stressed that China wants to reach “political agreements”. China confirms that “reconciliation is slowly being formed” while reading the talks held in Paris with Frederic Mondoloni, Director-General of Political and Security Affairs at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A different vision from Elysium. Paris stresses Russia’s “full responsibility” for the war and says it believes China can play a “constructive role”, with a vision of returning to “a just and lasting peace in Europe” in line with international law, especially with regard to sovereignty. and Ukraine’s territorial integrity.” In the increasingly tense geopolitical climate between Beijing and Washington, it wants to attract one of the most important countries in Europe to its side.
China wants to leave the regions annexed by Russia
Li’s words don’t pour water on the fire. Russia should be left to the ownership of the territories now occupied by Ukraine, namely the annexed territories: this would be the message Li would send to Europe during his visit these days.
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China’s envoy to Ukraine said the US and its allies in Europe should assert their autonomy and call for an immediate ceasefire, leaving Russia with some of the territories it currently occupies in Ukraine. The American newspaper reported that Li urged European governments to see China as an economic alternative to Washington and to take swift action to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. While the Wall Street Journal, citing various officials, was convinced that it was too early to reject Beijing’s attempts, they would have had doubts about China’s ability to act honestly given its alliance with Russia and would reject China’s attempts to divide. West.
Just yesterday, China’s special envoy for the Ukraine crisis in Brussels, in a meeting with the President of the European Union’s cabinet chief Frederic Bernard, asked the European Union to strengthen its strategic autonomy and strive for the stability of the European continent. Council Charles Michel and European External Action Agency Deputy Secretary General Enrique Mora. The demand, aimed at strengthening relations between Beijing and Brussels, which, according to the intention of the Asian giant, the USA should move away from the “Cold War mentality”.
western skepticism
The stop in Moscow, where Li met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov without any joint statement, completes the mission of China’s Eurasian affairs representative. But China’s role in conflict resolution efforts is influenced precisely by doubts over relations with Russia, which came under the spotlight during Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s visit to Beijing.
China has never condemned the invasion of Ukraine by Moscow troops and does not hide its ties with Russia: the agreement between Xi and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin was also celebrated by the Chinese leader during his visit to Moscow last March. days after the start of the third presidential term. Xi said a few days ago that China and Russia should “firmly support each other” on “fundamental interests” and deepen cooperation. Beijing has always defended co-operation with Moscow as “normal” in the face of suspicions from the West and the G7 targeting China and Russia at the latest Hiroshima summit.
The contrast with the seven major economies, starting with the USA, is clear: for China, cooperation with Russia “does not target third parties”, while the G7 “smears and attacks” Beijing.
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Source: Today IT

Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.