China is promoting its own peace plan for Ukraine ahead of the summit in Switzerland – Reuters

China, which does not plan to participate in the summit on Ukraine in Switzerland, has begun promoting its peace plan among developing countries.

This information comes from Reuters, citing anonymous diplomats.

According to these diplomats, Chinese authorities have intensified their informational efforts with visiting officials and diplomatic representatives from other countries. Additionally, in May, Beijing’s special envoy for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, visited Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, meeting with officials from developing countries in their embassies in Beijing.

Reuters reports that in conversations with representatives of foreign states, China did not directly criticize the summit in Switzerland or ask countries to refrain from participating. However, one diplomat told the agency that Beijing is promoting the view that this meeting will prolong the conflict. Two other diplomats said that China informed Western representatives that many developing countries share China’s views on the Swiss summit.

China is thus attempting to attract developing countries to the peace plan it developed with Brazil. This document includes provisions for holding an international peace conference with the participation of Russia and Ukraine. Later, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that 45 countries supported the plan.

At the beginning of June, Ukrainian Presidential Press Secretary Serhiy Nykyforov announced that 107 countries and international organizations had confirmed their participation in the peace summit. A week later, Swiss President Viola Amherd reported that 80 countries and 10 organizations had confirmed their participation. It is unknown whether the reduction in participants is related to China’s actions.

The peace summit on Ukraine will be held at the Swiss resort of Bürgenstock near Lucerne on June 15-16. A total of more than 160 invitations were sent out.

Russia was not invited to the summit. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the summit in Switzerland an attempt to impose conditions for ending the war on Russia.

In April, Zelensky accused Russia of intending to disrupt the summit. In early June, the president stated that “some countries have started helping Russia disrupt the peace summit.” Specifically, he mentioned China, which, according to him, “is working to prevent countries from attending.”