China, which has positioned itself as a peacemaker throughout the war, said it was happy to see the US-Russia talks but added that all stakeholders should be involved in negotiations. Trump has also said China could play a role in ending the war, but has not explained how.
At a United Nations Security Council meeting on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said China would continue to work with Global South nations to promote peace following a series of previous efforts by Beijing.
Yun Sun, director of the China programme at the Stimson Centre, a Washington-based think tank, said: “I’d imagine there is a lot of anxiety in China, Ukraine and Europe about what the negotiation means for them. Like the saying goes – ‘you are either at the table or on the menu’.”
In the early stages of the conflict, Western countries had looked to China to use its influence over Russia, but its hesitation to condemn the war and alleged supply of dual-use goods to support Putin’s war effort have undermined its peace efforts and prompted much criticism.
