China signals readiness for constructive role in Ukraine war
Mao Ning (photo: mfa.gov.cn)
China is ready to participate in the search for ways to resolve Russia's war against Ukraine. This was how the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC responded to the words of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who emphasized that Ukraine does not need security guarantees from China, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
She noted that the official position of Beijing is to refer to Russia's war against Ukraine as the "Ukraine crisis."
"It is essential to pursue common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security and promote the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis. China stands ready to play a constructive role to that end," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that China cannot be considered a guarantor of security for Ukraine. Since Beijing signed the Budapest Memorandum but did not fulfill its provisions on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
Security guarantees for Ukraine
On August 18 in Washington a meeting took place between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the leaders of the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Finland, as well as the head of the European Commission and the NATO Secretary General. The main issue was future security guarantees for Ukraine. A mechanism was discussed that would be partly based on the principles of Article 5 of NATO, but without granting membership.
US President Donald Trump confirmed Washington's readiness to participate, but emphasized that the main responsibility should lie with European countries. At the same time, he rejected the possibility of deploying American troops on the territory of Ukraine. Zelenskyy noted that the details are planned to be agreed within ten days.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni proposed a format of collective guarantees without accession to NATO. At the same time, Russia demanded the participation of China and even proposed itself among the guarantors. Zelenskyy categorically rejected these proposals, emphasizing that guarantees can only be provided by those states that truly support Ukraine.
