Ukraine's top diplomat in Beijing for talks on ending war
The Hindu
China's role in Ukraine-Russia conflict mediation discussed as Beijing denies supporting Moscow's war effort, facing Western scrutiny.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister was in China on July 23 for talks on how officials there might help end the war with Russia, whose ties with Beijing have grown stronger since the conflict began.
China presents itself as a neutral party in the war and says it is not sending lethal assistance to either side, unlike the United States and other Western nations.
However, its deepening "no limits" partnership with Russia has led NATO members to brand it a "decisive enabler" of Moscow's war, which Beijing has never condemned.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba's visit until on July 26 is his first since the war began in February 2022.
Kyiv said Mr. Kuleba's visit would focus on "ways to stop Russian aggression" as well as "China's possible role in achieving a sustainable and just peace".
Beijing said on July 23 that the talks would focus on "advancing China-Ukraine cooperation and other issues of common interest".
"On the Ukraine crisis, China always believes that an early ceasefire and a political settlement serves the common interests of all parties," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said.