China put forward a plan for peace in Ukraine on the one-year anniversary of the embattled nation’s grueling war with Russia, but Western leaders were initially cool to the proposal, which includes likely concessions to Moscow and a retreat by NATO.
The proposal, in the form of a 12-point position paper from China’s foreign ministry, called for a ceasefire and peace talks. China has claimed neutrality in the war, which began when Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, but Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Beijing has sent non-lethal aid to Russia.
“There are no winners in conflict wars,” the proposal stated. “All parties should maintain rationality and restraint [and] support Russia and Ukraine to meet each other, resume direct dialogue as soon as possible, gradually promote the de-escalation and relaxation of the situation and finally reach a comprehensive ceasefire.”
