At the NATO summit in Ankara, Ukrainian diplomacy received an unexpected signal from Beijing. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybyga stated that during his talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, he was officially invited to visit the PRC.
High-Level Negotiations
According to information obtained by RBC-Ukraine, the sides have already begun working out possible dates for the visit of the Ukrainian delegation. Sybyga emphasized the strategic importance of this step, stating that Kyiv is interested in intensifying bilateral contacts with China, including at the highest level.
The Ukrainian minister directly called on Beijing to support a ceasefire in Russia's war against Ukraine. According to Sybyga, the peacekeeping initiative fully aligns with the principles of China's foreign policy. "We welcome China's willingness to play a more active role in achieving peace," the head of the MFA assured.
Expectations from the Chinese Factor
The question of China's influence on the course of the conflict remains at the center of Ukrainian diplomacy's attention. Earlier, the head of the President's Office, Kyrylo Budanov, assessed Beijing's ability to end the war in an interview with RBC-Ukraine. He noted that China has its own benefits from the cessation of hostilities, which could serve as motivation for active action.
However, not all aspects of cooperation are cause for optimism. Kyiv noted that over the past six months, China has not responded to materials provided by Ukraine regarding the use of Chinese components in Russian weaponry.
PRC's Position in the UN
Against the backdrop of these statements, Sun Lei, Deputy Permanent Representative of the PRC to the UN, issued a new call for peace. The diplomat confirmed that China insists on the immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine and the start of negotiations. Thus, Sybyga's visit could become a key moment for the realization of these diplomatic intentions.
