China announces creation of Friends of Peace platform on war in Ukraine
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (Getty Images)
China and countries of the Global South seek to create a "Friends of Peace" platform aimed at what they refer to as a political settlement of the war in Ukraine, according to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Celso Amorim, chief special adviser to the President of Brazil, on the sidelines of the UN.
Wang Yi said that China, Pakistan, and other Global South nations are planning to establish the Friends of Peace platform concerning the "crisis" in Ukraine (as China refers to the war Russia is waging against Ukraine). The Chinese minister explained that the Friends of Peace is not a closed group, but an open platform that does not seek competition or confrontation, instead promoting dialogue.
"The Friends of Peace aim to provide an objective and rational voice and will play a constructive role in the political settlement of the Ukrainian issue," the statement said.
Brazil's special representative reminded of the "peace plan" proposed by China and Brazil regarding Ukraine, emphasizing its significance.
"Both sides can continue to work together to play the role of Friends of Peace, reach a consensus, and contribute to cooling down the situation," said the Brazilian president's advisor.
China's stance on war in Ukraine
China claims to hold a supposedly neutral stance on the war in Ukraine, providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, China's leader Xi Jinping and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy have spoken only once.
At the same time, China maintains close trade cooperation with Russia. Chinese companies supply Moscow with dual-use goods.
China and Brazil have presented their so-called peace plan for Ukraine and are attempting to promote it at the UN. However, Ukraine rejects alternative peace proposals.
