Chinese special envoy arrives in Brussels ahead of visit to Kyiv

"The EU and China delegations discussed Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine and ways to promote a just and sustainable peace," the statement said.

Representatives of the EU emphasized Russia's full responsibility for the unprovoked and unjustified aggression, stating that respect for the principles of the UN Charter, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine must be the cornerstone of any final settlement.

The EU stated that Russia's war poses a real threat to its security and that, therefore, China's position on the war inevitably affects bilateral relations.

"The EU remains committed to supporting Ukraine with whatever it takes to prevail," the statement said.

The EU side welcomed the future visit of special envoy Li to Kyiv, which, it hopes, will provide an opportunity for substantive interaction between China and Ukraine, more than two years after the start of Russia's unlawful aggressive war.

The EU expects China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to play a constructive role and use any opportunity to defend and promote the UN Charter and international law. The EU emphasized that it expects China to call on Russia to immediately and unconditionally respect the principles of sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity by withdrawing all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, the statement said.

Li's tour

Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping presented his vision for the diplomatic resolution of Russia's war against Ukraine and appointed a special representative to deal with the issue. This representative was former Chinese ambassador to Russia Li Hui, who toured European and Asian countries in 2023.

In March of this year, Li Hui again traveled to Moscow and plans to visit Ukraine, Poland, Germany, and France. His tour began on March 2.