China has proposed a 12-point plan to end the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, calling for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors for civilians to escape the fighting. The plan also calls for an end to Western sanctions against Russia and steps to ensure the export of grain after disruptions caused global food prices to spike last year.
The proposal, released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry, also urges all parties to exercise restraint and avoid fanning the flames of the conflict. It also calls for an end to the “Cold War mentality”, which Beijing regards as global dominance by the United States and its interference in other countries’ affairs.
Beijing has refused to criticise Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine or even refer to it as such, and has accused the West of provoking the conflict and “fanning the flames” by providing Ukraine with arms. China’s top diplomat Wang Yi visited Moscow this week and pledged a deeper relationship between the two countries while Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed “new frontiers” in ties with Beijing.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed China’s peace proposal as an important first step, saying that it was “not bad” that China was talking about peace in Ukraine. The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) also approved a nonbinding resolution that called for Russia to end hostilities in Ukraine and withdraw its forces, with 141 votes in favour and 32 abstentions. Russia voted against the resolution, along with five other countries.
The UNGA resolution is a powerful signal of global support for Ukraine and a testament to the solidarity of the international community with its people. It is also a powerful manifestation of global support for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. China’s proposal could be a key step towards achieving this goal, though some analysts have cast doubt on whether Beijing’s efforts to act as peacemaker will go beyond rhetoric. Washington has also warned that China may be considering providing weapons to Russia, which could further escalate the conflict.