China is positioning itself as a major player in the Ukrainian conflict, hosting numerous diplomatic visits from Europe and the United States. Recently, the Chinese government released a document on the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, which was welcomed by France, Russia and Kyiv.
The Chinese Ambassador to the EU, Fu Cong, recently announced that the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the President of the Council, Charles Michel, could visit Beijing in the first half of the year. Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed his hope to receive his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, perhaps in the spring.
The Chinese initiative in the Ukrainian conflict has been met with mixed reactions from the United States, but welcomed by France, Russia and Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has stated that it is necessary to work with China and has not ruled out meeting its leader, Xi Jinping.
China appears to be seeking to regain a leading role on the international stage, and its diplomatic efforts in the Ukrainian conflict are a testament to this. The country is demonstrating its willingness to be a major player in the conflict, speaking to all sides and hoping to bring about a resolution.