Published on: 02/24/2023 – 07:19
After a year of conflict in Ukraine, China on Friday urged Moscow and Kiev to resume dialogue and rejected any recourse to nuclear weapons.
With our correspondent in Beijing, Stephane Lagarde
THE Document in 12 points published this morning on the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s website takes up several of the proposals made in the “Global Security Initiative” launched by Beijing. A few days earlier.
The imperative of dialogue
First, the imperative of dialogue and negotiations: “All parties must support Russia and Ukraine to work in the same direction and resume direct dialogue as soon as possible” in order to reach a “peaceful solution,” says the Text. But also the “respect for the sovereignty of the countries” and Vladimir Putin’s strong condemnation of the use of nuclear weapons and “armed attacks on nuclear power plants”, which has been repeatedly voiced since the beginning of the conflict.
Among the additions, several items are dedicated to civilians. Beijing is demanding the protection of civilians and prisoners of war and the maintenance of economic exchanges. Chinese diplomacy asserts that it is necessary to “facilitate grain exports in order to ensure the stability of industrial and supply chains” and “to promote reconstruction”.
“Abandoning the Cold War Mentality”
Alongside these arguments, which are more in line with a resolution advocated by Western diplomats, the Chinese government’s plan also envisages “abandoning all sanctions,” “solving the humanitarian crisis,” and “abandoning the Cold War mentality.”
China wants to position itself as a mediator in this conflict. For Kiev, which was waiting for the text of the Chinese proposals before making its decision, the first requirement is the withdrawal of Russian troops.