Switzerland has requested assistance from China in the peace process for Ukraine by saying, “Give Us a Hand.”
Switzerland has extended a formal invitation to China to participate in the peace negotiations for Russia’s conflict with Ukraine, as the country prepares to host the talks.
On Wednesday, while concluding a two-day trip to China’s capital, the foreign minister of Switzerland, Ignazio Cassis, expressed his desire for assistance from Beijing due to their strong relationship with Russia.
Cassis expressed hope that China, which is known for its willingness to contribute, will lend a hand in promoting peace.
In response to Ukraine’s request, Switzerland has accepted to host a peace summit last month in order to address President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s 10-point peace proposal.
The specific time and location for the meeting have not been determined. Ukraine emphasized the significance of China’s involvement by extending an invitation to Beijing and personally requesting Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s attendance. Russia has declined Zelenskyy’s proposal for peace, which includes the complete removal of Russian military forces.
When asked about Beijing’s response to the invitation, Cassis mentioned that due to the conference’s high level, an immediate answer should not be anticipated.
The specific role that Beijing could potentially have is uncertain.
Just three weeks before the war began almost two years ago, China’s Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of what they called a “no limits” partnership.
On February 4, 2022, in Beijing, China, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin converse with each other during their meeting.
Afterward, China has refrained from condemning Russia’s hostile actions or participating in global penalties against Moscow. Instead, it has consistently urged both parties to engage in peace talks.
Last week, when China’s newly appointed defense minister, Dong Jun, had a video call with Russia’s defense minister, Sergei Shoigu, he offered China’s full support “on the Ukrainian issue” despite pressure from the U.S. and Europe.
Nevertheless, following this statement, Wang Wenbin, the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, emphasized during a briefing that China’s stance remains unchanged. Wang also voiced optimism that “all involved parties will make efforts to deescalate the situation and facilitate a beneficial environment for resolving the conflict through political means.”
China’s interests
Several analysts suggest that there are compelling motivations for China to engage in the negotiations.
During a conversation with VOA’s Ukranian service, Robert Zoellick, a former president of the World Bank and deputy secretary of State in the U.S., stated that there are economic and geopolitical factors that make China uninterested in Russia’s conflict with Ukraine.
Zoellick stated that the conflict negatively impacts the costs of food and energy, which are crucial for the Chinese economy. Additionally, it strengthens relationships between the U.S. and its allies, such as NATO, which China does not view as advantageous.
China may have underestimated the impact of this invasion in a region where they are seeking to cultivate relationships.
In June 2012, Robert Zoellick, who was the president of the World Bank at the time, was present at a meeting in Los Cabos.
In an interview with VOA, Peter Engelke, deputy director of the Scowcroft Initiative at the Atlantic Council, states that China’s interactions with the Western world are still a delicate balance.
Beijing continues “to press for geopolitical advantage vis-a-vis the United States, whether it comes to Taiwan, the Middle East or Ukraine, while at the same time knowing that it has to curry favor with the United States and with the Europeans because it also has interests on the cooperative side not limited to but including its need to trade.”
Some people have a different opinion. According to the participants of the House Select Committee on the CCP during hearings on January 30, economic integration does not transform authoritarians into a positive influence.
At a hearing, Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthy from Illinois stated that instead of embracing the global economy and getting rid of weapons, the CCP and Putin’s Russia have actually acquired more weapons. Similarly, Republican Chairman Mike Gallagher from Wisconsin cautioned that China is becoming a dominant force in the authoritarian alliance.
Gallagher began his statement by noting that a small group of authoritarian leaders causing disruptions has now evolved into a powerful alliance led by the Chinese Communist Party. He specifically mentioned Xi, Putin, Ayatollah Khamenei, Kim Jong Un, and Hamas as key members of this alliance.
Private conversation
Despite the possibility of China becoming involved in promoting peace in Ukraine, experts do not anticipate the country publicly denouncing the ongoing war.
According to Charles Kupchan, a senior member of the Council on Foreign Relations in the U.S., in an interview with VOA Mandarin, the most probable outcome is that Xi and Putin will have a confidential discussion where Beijing will inform Putin that it is time to put an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine and its devastating effects on the world.
During an interview with VOA’s Ukrainian service, Zoellick mentioned the possibility of Xi privately urging Putin to end the war.
China’s impact on Moscow can be seen in how Beijing reacted to Russia’s declaration of intent to deploy nuclear weapons during their all-out conflict with Ukraine.
During that period, China proposed that the use of nuclear weapons should be avoided. Zoellick responded, “That’s a positive development.”
This report was also contributed to by VOA’s Mandarin Service.
Source: voanews.com
