China should convince Russia to withdraw from Ukraine

Chinese special envoy to Ukraine Li Hui will travel to Moscow. EU foreign policy chief Borrell wants him to call for the end of the war.

Fighting between Russia and Ukraine continues. The picture shows Russian soldiers in the Russian border region of Belgorod. Anton Vergun/Sputnik/dpa

The European Union has asked China to work towards a Russian withdrawal from Ukraine. The EU expects China to work on an “immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all Russian armed forces and all military equipment” from the entire territory of Ukraine, the office of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in Brussels on Thursday. Borrell’s deputy, Enrique Mora, had previously received the Chinese special envoy for Ukraine, Li Hui, for talks on a political solution to the Ukraine conflict.

Li is expected to visit Moscow on Friday as part of his European tour. In the past few days, the special envoy has already traveled to Poland, Ukraine, France and Germany.

Opportunities for “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine

In the conversation, Mora discussed the possibilities for a “just and lasting peace” with Li, it said. The EU representative stressed that Ukraine has the right to defend itself and that the EU is ready to support the country “in the long term”.

Mora and Li had agreed to “keep in touch” and continue to work towards a “resilient peace” in Ukraine.

Moscow and Beijing maintain close ties. According to its own statements, China is trying to adopt a neutral position and a “political solution” in the Ukraine conflict.

To date, Beijing has not condemned the Russian attack on Ukraine. In February, China presented a 12-point plan to resolve the Ukraine conflict, which Western countries are skeptical about.