China declares intention to resolve conflict in Ukraine

Speaking after talks with Polish President Andrzej Duda, who is on a state visit to China, President Xi Jinping said Beijing's goal was to "avoid expanding and intensifying conflicts", ease tensions and "create conditions for peaceful negotiations". He added: "China opposes some people using the pretext of normal China-Russia trade to divert attention and smear China... Beijing is willing to continue to play a constructive role in finding a political solution to the Ukraine crisis in its own way."

Earlier this month, Switzerland hosted a “Peace Summit” at Kiev’s request. Russia was not invited, leading China to decline to participate.

President Duda expressed hope that Beijing would play a role in resolving the conflict “in accordance with the principles of international law.” Poland, which borders Ukraine, is one of Kiev’s strongest Western supporters. The Polish president said he had explained Warsaw’s position to Xi, including that Poland opposes changing its borders by military force.

The Chinese government has rejected Western depictions of the Ukraine conflict as an unprovoked Russian invasion. Instead, Beijing has pointed to NATO expansion in Europe as the main cause. China has also repeatedly called on other countries to abandon a “Cold War mentality” and avoid a “zero-sum game” in foreign relations.

According to the two leaders, the Poland-China summit lasted about four hours and focused on bilateral issues, including the easing of visa regulations and Poland's participation in China's Belt and Road initiative./.