The Russia-Ukraine crisis has now entered its third year, sending shockwaves through the international community. The facade of Post-Cold War peace in Europe has been shattered, leading to a significant restructuring of the European security landscape.
However, Europe faces challenges in ending the war and building a new order, especially as the United States introduces more zero-sum incentives concerning the Russia-Ukraine situation. This has placed Europe in a difficult position.
The European economy is struggling, grappling with higher living costs, reduced external demand, increased inflation, and tighter monetary policies. Germany, as the economic powerhouse of the EU, saw its GDP shrink by 0.3% in 2023, raising concerns of another possible recession year. Conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East continue to disrupt energy markets, compounding these economic woes.
Amid these tensions, the specter of bloc politics looms, hinting at the emergence of a new Cold War that could threaten global peace and development.
In light of these challenges, finding a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the conflict has become more urgent than ever. China remains committed to this pursuit, consistently advocating for peace and ongoing dialogue.
Li Hui, the special representative of the Chinese government on Eurasian affairs, has recently completed the second round of shuttle mediation talks involving Russia, Ukraine, and European nations such as Poland and France. These discussions focus on achieving a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis and represent China's dedication to fostering peace negotiations. The initial round of mediation in May 2023 underscored China's proactive role in engaging multiple countries to broker peace.
In February 2023, China introduced a 12-point proposal for a political settlement based on its Global Security Initiative. Given that the assistance provided by the United States and its European allies has yet to resolve the conflict on the battlefield after two years, there is growing anticipation for China to assume a more prominent role in ending the war. However, such an outcome requires constructive efforts from all involved parties.
Reference(s):
China's wisdom for Ukraine crisis depends on cooperation of all sides
cgtn.com
