Finland believes China could end conflict in Ukraine with just one call

“One call to Chinese President Xi Jinping, and this crisis will be resolved,” the Finnish president said in an interview with Bloomberg.

President Stubb also said that Russia “will be forced” to start negotiations with Ukraine, if the Chinese leader insists on this, because according to Mr. Stubb, “Russia has no other choice.” At the same time, Mr. Stubb believes that “there is no talk of a ceasefire” at the moment, and called for more weapons to be provided to Kiev.

According to the Finnish leader, ending the conflict in Ukraine could benefit China, which “has always defended international norms regarding territorial integrity and sovereignty.” This, Mr. Stubb said, demonstrates China’s leadership.

Earlier, on June 29, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said he had discussed the prospects for resolving the Ukrainian conflict with the Chinese government's special representative for European affairs Wu Hongbo. The two sides "exchanged views on further efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine."

The US is asking China to use its influence to “bring Russia back to the negotiating table” on Ukraine to resolve the conflict, said James O'Brien, US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs.