Jeddah talks on Ukraine helped 'consolidate international consensus' - China's Foreign Ministry
Li Hui (Chinese Embassy in Moscow)
International negotiations in Saudi Arabia over the weekend regarding a peaceful resolution to the "Ukrainian crisis" have helped "consolidate international consensus," according to a statement by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, citing Reuters.
More than 40 countries, including China, India, the United States, and European countries, but not Russia, took part in the Jeddah talks that ended on Sunday.
China dispatched its special envoy for Eurasian affairs and former ambassador to Russia, Li Hui, who conducted a trip to six European capitals in May to find common ground for potential political settlement between Moscow and Kyiv.
Li Hui "had extensive contact and communication with all parties on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis... listened to all sides' opinions and proposals, and further consolidated international consensus," stated the Chinese Foreign Ministry in a written statement to Reuters.
"All parties positively commented on Li Hui's attendance, and fully backed China's positive role in facilitating peace talks," the statement said.
China will continue to bolster dialogue based on its 12-point peaceful proposal and "accumulate mutual trust," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, without delving into specifics.
According to analysts, China's presence signals potential shifts in Beijing's approach, though not a U-turn in its support for Moscow.
Beijing refrained from condemning Moscow for the February 2022 invasion, instead putting forth its own "peace plan," which received a lukewarm response in both Russia and Ukraine while the United States and NATO were sceptical.
As noted by Reuters, the two-day meeting in Jeddah was part of Ukraine's diplomatic push to secure support from countries beyond its main Western allies, reaching out to Global South nations that preferred not to take sides in a conflict that has impacted the global economy.
The meeting in Jeddah
The meeting in Saudi Arabia, focused on the "peace formula" for Ukraine, took place on August 5-6. Representatives from over 40 countries were invited, including India, Brazil, Indonesia, Egypt, Mexico, and China.
Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said that while some representatives held differing views, all countries demonstrated commitment to the principles of the UN Charter, international law, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to Der Spiegel, the talks concerning Ukraine in Saudi Arabia concluded without a final communique, but with "positive signals" from China.
