Ukraine can expect a visit from an important Chinese diplomat tomorrow. Li Hui, the special envoy for Eurasian affairs, was sent to talk about a “political solution” to the war in Ukraine. The Chinese diplomat will also visit Russia, then Poland, France and Germany.

Li, a former ambassador to Russia, is the highest-ranking Chinese representative to visit Ukraine since the war began. China has positioned itself as a mediator, but diplomacy towards the Ukrainian side has so far been limited to a phone call from President Xi Jinping to his Ukrainian counterpart, Zelensky.

China has drawn up a twelve-point plan for this, which it is promoting as a peace plan. However, this is not a concrete document, and is basically a repeat of what China had already said before the war. For example, the sovereignty of each country must be respected, as the plan states.

Moreover, in some ways it is very inclined towards Russia. China opposes sanctions not imposed by the UN Security Council. But since Russia itself is in it and has veto power, no sanctions will ever be imposed. Recently, President Xi also visited Russia. In addition, the two countries said they would only expand their relations.

It is not known exactly what Lee will do in Europe. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has not published a detailed agenda. China said the visit “testifies to China’s efforts to push forward peace negotiations and demonstrates China’s firm commitment to peace.”

Guram Paul