The Facts
Chinese Pres. Xi Jinping is reportedly planning to speak with the Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy, after he visits Moscow next week to meet with Russian Pres. Putin in an attempt to play a more active role in facilitating the end of the year-long war.
Xi's efforts to play peacemaker between Russia and Ukraine come as China called for a ceasefire and peace talks to find a political solution to the conflict and put an end to unilateral sanctions in a 12-point proposal offered last month.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Beijing — which has refrained from condemning Russian military action in Ukraine or calling it an invasion, or speaking with Zelenskyy since the hostilities broke out — wants to use the opportunity to burnish its status as a global peace broker, navigate escalating competition with the US, and capitalize on the momentum from the Saudi-Iran deal. While it may cast itself as a neutral mediator, China would ensure the talks tilt in favor of Russia — its "no limits" partner.
Establishment-critical narrative
China officially regards Ukraine as a sovereign nation, while it was Ukraine’s largest trading partner before the war. If Xi Jinping calls for respecting the sovereignty of all countries and warns Moscow against escalating the conflict with nuclear weapons, his proposal to end the war must be given a chance. Given the appalling human cost of the war, the world must consider the proposal carefully instead of dismissing it outrightly. The PRC could potentially play a vital role in resolving this horrific conflict.
