China’s Mediation Efforts in Ukraine: the Potential Merits and Caveats

Xiaodong Fang
6 min readMay 31, 2023

Amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, China’s recent mediation efforts have drawn skepticism from European officials who question Beijing’s ability to act as an honest broker. It is important to view China’s involvement through a pragmatic lens, recognizing the potential benefits and hazards it brings to the table.

Photo by Mateusz Butkiewicz on Unsplash

While concerns regarding China’s alignment with Moscow are valid, dismissing its peace proposal outright could hinder the progress towards a resolution. This article aims to shed light on the potential merits and caveats of China’s involvement and highlight the importance of considering a multi-dimensional approach to resolving the conflict.

1. A Different Perspective on Mediation

The Merits: China’s entry into the mediation process offers a fresh perspective, detached from the historical baggage and geopolitical rivalries of other involved parties. Its lack of direct involvement in the conflict allows China to approach the issue with a neutral stance, focused on finding a practical and sustainable solution for all parties involved.

According to CNBC:

“China has been eager to position itself as a peace broker to end the war between Russia and Ukraine since the invasion began, offering…

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Xiaodong Fang

Political Scientist studied and worked at #Georgetown #IowaState #JamesMadison | Observing #Elections and #China