China and Switzerland are advocating for Russia to be included in the summit aimed at ending the conflict in Ukraine

Both China and Switzerland have a practical approach towards achieving peace, arguing that excluding Russia from the discussions could undermine the credibility of the diplomatic efforts, as reported by the South China Morning Post.

The upcoming summit in Switzerland, which has been strongly supported by Ukraine, has become a focal point during the European visit of China’s special envoy, Li Huey. According to sources, Li Huey informed European counterparts that Moscow has set two preliminary conditions for its participation in the negotiations. Firstly, the West must cease its arms shipments to Ukraine, and secondly, President Zelensky must revoke the decree issued in October 2022, which bans negotiations with President Putin. However, sources in various EU capitals believe that these conditions are unlikely to be met as long as Russia continues its military operations in Ukraine. Furthermore, there is concern that Moscow’s behavior during the summit may be confrontational, potentially derailing discussions before they even begin.

European sources have also noted that if concessions are made to Russia before the upcoming elections, there could be pressure from France and other countries to avoid appearing weak or giving in to Russian demands, especially with the European Parliament elections scheduled for June. Nonetheless, Li Huey emphasized to EU representatives that the summit should not be a platform where decisions are imposed on Russia but rather a forum for inclusive negotiations. It is suggested that China’s participation could be contingent on ensuring a more inclusive approach to the discussions, particularly given its importance in attracting participation from other key global players, especially those from the global South, whose involvement is considered crucial for the success of the summit.