From July 23 to 25, 2024, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba is on an official visit to the People’s Republic of China. This visit marks the first visit by the head of Ukraine’s foreign policy department since Russia’s full-scale aggression began. The visit, made at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, is a significant step towards strengthening Ukrainian-Chinese relations.
On July 24, in Guangzhou, Dmytro Kuleba held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. The main topic of discussion was ending Russian aggression and China’s potential role in achieving a sustainable and just peace. The ministers discussed ways of cooperation to ensure security and stability in the region, as well as possible steps to end the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Russian propagandists are portraying Dmytro Kuleba’s visit to China as an attempt to find a way out of a difficult situation or even as evidence of Ukraine’s readiness to capitulate. Moscow is actively discrediting Ukraine’s position and promoting a «coercion to peace» strategy. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed distrust in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s statements about the possibility of negotiations with Moscow, linking his statements to the US election context and accusing him of promoting the «Peace Formula». However, these claims are unfounded. Ukraine does not interfere in US election processes and is ready to cooperate with any administration to achieve a sustainable and just peace.
The participation of a large number of countries in the first Peace Summit highlighted the global importance of establishing peace in Ukraine. The war destroys security systems, undermines development prospects, and nullifies the principle of humanism in the world. Russia faces competition for the support of Global South countries, trying to extend its influence. The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to North Korea indicates Russia’s militaristic neo-colonial ambitions in the Asian region and its reliance on totalitarian regimes. Ukraine, in contrast, considers the needs of these countries, particularly in food security.
Official Kyiv is open to negotiations and committed to achieving a sustainable peace. Dmytro Kuleba explained the logic behind implementing the «Peace Formula» during his visit to China, which outlines a comprehensive approach to ending Russian aggression and establishing stable peace. Ukraine is interested in stable development and aims to join the European Union and NATO. Russian aggression hinders positive transformation plans, slows down international trade processes, and disrupts mutually beneficial international market interactions. The voices of the international community are crucial to ending the war and establishing long-term peace.
Dmytro Kuleba’s visit to China has become an important step in strengthening international relations and seeking peaceful resolutions. Ukraine demonstrates openness to dialogue and commitment to achieving a just peace, contributing to global stability and security, which is in the interest of all countries.