In the first interview of a senior Ukrainian official with a Chinese state news agency since Russia launched a military operation in late February, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba urged China to call on Russia to stop fighting to prevent further escalation of the conflict.
The Xinhua News Agency quoted Foreign Minister Kuleba as saying: This will be an important measure to maintain peace and prevent worsening humanitarian disasters. All sides, including Russia, can clearly see that the war with Ukraine is a wrong step. All issues and concerns should be resolved through negotiations rather than the use of force.
We hope China will call on Russia to stop this war, lift blockades on international trade and respect the territorial integrity of other countries, Mr. Kuleba said.
The Ukrainian Foreign Minister also sent a similar message directly to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in a phone call last month.
Beijing has so far rejected calls from the West to impose sanctions on Moscow. The West is also concerned that China may support Russia.
Chinese leaders said Beijing was ready to help mediate the conflict but stressed that it had to be done in its own way.
Foreign Minister Kuleba stressed that the war has led to a global economic and food security crisis, which is not in China's interests.
It could deal a heavy blow to the Chinese economy... If Russia is not stopped, there will only be more crises in the coming years, Mr. Kuleba said in an interview published in Chinese on April 20.
According to Secretary of State Kuleba, the war has also damaged China's implementation of the Ring Road and Road Initiative by threatening stability and trade in the region.
When asked about long-term stability plans in Ukraine and Europe, Mr. Kuleba suggested that China play a role as one of the security guards for Ukraine.
Ukraine is studying the possibility of ensuring security from permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, including China and other major powers. Our proposal to make China one of the security guards for Ukraine is a symbol of the respect and trust we have in the People's Republic of China, said Foreign Minister Kuleba.
This is not the first time Ukraine has asked China to help ensure the country's security.
Andriy Yermak, a senior assistant to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, said in March that Ukraine wanted China to play a more notable role in the ceasefire and become a future guarantee for Kievs security.
In a commentary published on April 29, Xinhua News Agency said China had done its best by continuous efforts to ease tensions and work hard to promote dialogue.
