China speaks out on Russia-Ukraine 30-day truce idea

At the press conference, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson was asked how China views the fact that some European countries have called on Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire, as well as the US president's call for major powers to take a more active role in resolving the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

"We support all efforts aimed at peace and hope that the parties involved will continue to reach a fair, lasting, binding, and mutually acceptable peace agreement through dialogue and negotiation, ultimately achieving a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis," Lin Jian said.

He emphasized that China has always believed that dialogue and negotiation are the only viable ways to resolve the war in Ukraine.

"China is willing, based on the willingness of the parties involved, to work constructively with the international community to ultimately resolve the crisis and achieve lasting peace," said the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

China's role in Russia's war against Ukraine

Beijing officially declares its support for a peaceful settlement of the war in Ukraine and calls for a focus on identifying the root causes of the conflict. At the end of last month, the Chinese side called on Kyiv and Moscow to find out the roots of the conflict.

Although China has close economic ties with Russia, it has repeatedly denied supplying weapons to either side and asserted that it is not involved in Russia's war against Ukraine. At the same time, much evidence suggests that Beijing is helping Moscow to circumvent Western sanctions, thus indirectly supporting the Kremlin's military campaign.

In April of this year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the Armed Forces of Ukraine had captured two Chinese citizens who had fought on the side of Russia.

The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed concern and said it was investigating the situation.

30-day ceasefire

Last weekend, Ukraine, the United States, and the Coalition of the Willing proposed that Russia begin a 30-day full ceasefire on Monday, May 12. Russia was given an ultimatum: either agree or face new sanctions against Russia.

A few hours after the announcement, Russia's Vladimir Putin issued a statement in which he ignored the topic of a 30-day ceasefire. Instead, he offered to resume direct talks with Ukraine next Thursday, May 15, in Istanbul. And without any conditions.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared Ukraine's readiness for dialogue, but stressed that a confirmed ceasefire, which was to begin on May 12, was a prerequisite.