Mediaboss Marketing

Analysis by Shastri Ramachandaran

The question is no longer whether China can broker peace in Ukraine. More pertinent would be to ask what will follow the Xi-Zelensky talk now that Xi has emerged at the top of the list of prospective peacemakers in Ukraine.

NEW DELHI, 28 April 2023 (IDN) Chinese President Xi Jinpings long and meaningful telephone conversation with President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv on 26 April has set the cat among the pigeons in the U.S.-led West that is fighting a proxy war against Russia in Ukraine.

The question is no longer whether China can broker peace in Ukraine. More pertinent would be to ask what will follow the Xi-Zelensky talk now that Xi has emerged at the top of the list of prospective peacemakers in Ukraine.

Just months ago, few would have seen China as a peace broker between Ukraine and Russia. But after China brought together Saudi Arabia and Iran in Beijing and set the two West Asian powers on the path to normalising their relations, there can be no doubt that China is serious. Xi appears to have a plan, if not a solution, for at least cessation of hostilities if not peace.

Soon after Xis two-day state visit to Moscow last monthduring which he referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin as his dear friend and proposed a general, if not vague, 12-point peace planZelensky invited him to Kyiv for talks. He pointed out that the two had made no contact after the war began in February 2022, although they had been in touch before.

Neither needed to mention that China is Ukraines largest trading partner and has vital economic interests to protect that country. China has also heavily invested in major transport infrastructure projects in Ukraine. These are long-term interests and call for a long-term perspective, which may explain Xis readiness to work towards building strategic ties with Ukraine. And, what better way to do it than as a peace broker at this critical juncture?

Given the growing distrust between Kyiv and Washington and also between the U.S. and its leading allies in Europe, as exposed by the recently leaked Pentagon documents, Zelensky decided to bite the bullet and woo the Chinese president. He had good reasons to, for China proclaimed itself to be firmly on the side of peace, although it had not condemned Russias war in Ukraine. While Xi flaunted his bonds with Putin, he made it known that he was neutral on the Russian military operation in Ukraine.

When Xi said that Kyiv should seize the opportunity and build up favourable conditions for the political settlement, it was, doubtless, a reference to the growing distrust between Ukraine and the U.S.

Substantively, in his talk with Zelensky, Xi reiterated Beijings long-standing position that mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity is the political foundation of China-Ukraine relations. On the Ukraine war, Xi impressed on Zelensky that Chinas core stance is to facilitate talks for peace, as per the 12-point plan set out on February 24. He also made it clear that Beijing would be proactive in pressing for dialogue and negotiation as the only way forward.

Xi proposed that China will make its efforts for an early ceasefire and restoration of peace. Of course, few expect this to happen in the near term. But the fact that China will send a Special Representative on Eurasian Affairs to Ukraine and other countries for in-depth exchanges with all parties on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis is a clear signal of Xis earnestness.

Taller European leaders such as Frances Emmanuel Macron and Germanys Olaf Scholz may be inclined to support the Chinese initiative, given their explicit aversion to being trapped in the bloc-versus-bloc politics of the U.S.

Note: The author is an Editorial Consultant at WION TV and a Senior Editorial Consultant at IDN-INPS. This story first appeared as Spotlight in WION and is being reproduced with the author's permission. [IDN-InDepthNews]

Image (Left-right): Chinese President Xi Jinping (Xinhua) and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine (Wikipedia). Collage by IDN-INPS.

IDN is the flagship agency of the Non-profit International Press Syndicate.

Visit us on Facebook and Twitter.

IDN is the flagship agency of the Non-profit International Press Syndicate.

We believe in the free flow of information. Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International, except for republished articles with permission.

See the original post here:
What After Xi Jinpings Overture to Zelensky? - IDN InDepthNews | Analysis That Matters