In an effort to bolster diplomatic engagements, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has embarked on a journey to Moscow, arriving for discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. This visit occurs against the backdrop of ongoing deliberations between Russia and Ukraine following a diplomatic proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at concluding the three-year-old conflict. Wang is poised to engage in dialogue with Lavrov on Tuesday, closely trailing an understanding reached by Ukraine and Russia regarding a provisional ceasefire, catalyzed after Trump’s conversations with the leaders of both nations. However, the specifics concerning the ceasefire’s commencement, duration, and scope remain largely indeterminate.
President Trump has recently issued stern remarks directed at both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressing his dissatisfaction with the leadership in both countries. Despite asserting notable progress to reporters, Trump acknowledged the “tremendous hatred” existing between Putin and Zelenskyy, further expressing his frustration over Putin’s doubts concerning Zelenskyy’s credibility.
Reflecting China’s longstanding diplomatic stance, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun reiterated Beijing’s neutral disposition regarding the Ukraine conflict. Guo asserted, “We always believe that dialogue and negotiation are the only viable way out of the crisis,” emphasizing that China’s cooperation with Russia is not intended to target any third party and shouldn’t be influenced by any external entities. While specifics about Ukraine were absent from China’s official announcement of Wang’s visit, they highlighted the ongoing enhancement of strategic collaborations and practical cooperation across various sectors between China and Russia.
The Chinese Ministry expressed readiness to leverage this diplomatic engagement to collaborate on international and regional issues of mutual concern. China has maintained strong diplomatic allegiance with Russia amid the ongoing conflict, providing substantial economic support through trade mechanisms without evident military assistance. China also proposed a peace strategy that hasn’t received widespread acceptance.
On a related diplomatic note, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reinforced his steadfast backing for Russia’s military endeavors in Ukraine during a recent meeting with a senior Russian security official in Pyongyang. This development follows a South Korean intelligence report from late February suggesting that North Korea may have dispatched additional troops to assist Russian forces amid significant casualties.