Beijing: Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Wednesday that he is looking for ‘common ground’ in this week’s talks with his Chinese counterpart to end the war with Russia. Kuleba met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Guangzhou, a major commercial and manufacturing center in southern China. This is the first visit to China by a European country’s foreign minister after Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Ukraine and China’s relations are tense.

‘China’s role is important’

Kuleba made the initial comment, “I am fully convinced that peace in Ukraine is in China’s strategic interest and China’s role as a global force for peace is important.” China has strong ties with Russia and has insisted on ending the war keeping in mind the interests of both sides. Not only Ukraine but also Western European countries and the US disagree with China’s stance, which is demanding Russia’s withdrawal from Ukraine as the basis for any agreement.

‘China did not attend the peace talks’

China did not attend the peace talks held in Switzerland last week as Russia was not included in it. Kuleba is expected to try to persuade Chinese officials to join the next peace talks. This peace talk is likely to take place before the US presidential election in November. Kuleba’s visit indicates that no peace agreement in favor of Ukraine can be possible without taking China into confidence.

What did China say?

Chinese officials say that there is a friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries. Underlining the increase in trade between the two countries, Wang said that despite the “complex and constantly changing international and regional circumstances”, relations between the two countries are progressing normally. Kuleba arrived in China on Tuesday and is likely to leave from here on Friday.