China’s patient plan to end the war in Ukraine

Master in the art of patience. But we are very interested – despite all the difficult balancing acts that have to be mastered – that we now reach a solution to the conflict Ukraine. From the beginning of the war until today China has gradually changed his position, rebalancing his tones and actions while continuing to publicly flaunt his relationship with Fly, change trajectory in small steps. The summit of Jeddah from a month and a half ago. And it still filters against the light now that it has a Beijing the envoy of fatherthe cardinal Matteo Zuppi.

“An open discussion” with Li Huithe man of Xi responsible for the dossier, “with an important exchange of views also on future prospects,” he said Soups To TV2000. Very meaningful conversations given the context: China And Holy See They do not have diplomatic relations and there is no shortage of disagreement over the appointment of bishops.

All actors are working to broker a ceasefire that leads to negotiations. Diplomatic exercise whose success or failure depends on local conditions. However, by the time of the Russian presidential elections in mid-March, everyone will understand this Putin He cannot and does not want to discuss these issues (despite the usual statements from yesterday when he said he “never refused to negotiate on them”).Ukraine: If the other party wants them, say so). WashingtonFor his part, he is pushing to find a way out before the presidential elections USA November 2024.

For Beijing after agreeing to receive the correspondent of father it was important for a variety of reasons: because she always feels flattered when someone comes looking for her; because it has an interest in projecting the image of a responsible country, a carrier of peace and in search of a negotiated solution to reduce the fault line between West and East, which is dangerously widening. In the face of a difficult economy Beijing He knows we need to return to healthier relationships. An attitude that corresponds to the chosen path Jeddah – The Chinese presence was appreciated Washington And Brussels – where, words from There, “international consensus on resolving the crisis” has strengthened. A phrase that must not be translated into full support of the Ukrainian plan, which, together with the other participants of the August summit in the Saudi city, the G7 and the “Global South”, Beijing is working on a new regulation, but this expresses the interest that the conflict should be resolved soon.

Finally, the third reason is because a Beijing I don’t mind maintaining contact with the church, especially on humanitarian issues. The communist leadership insists on civil and food security. Resolving the issue of Ukrainian wheat, of which the Chinese are the main importer, would also give them the opportunity to “spend” it, as was the case with the countries of the global south they courted.

The day after tomorrow at Fly The Chinese Foreign Minister will leave Wang Yi to meet your counterpart Sergey Lavrov. A more direct confession will not be made publicly: the desire is not yet to expose oneself in such a way. There China must continue to muddle through because it cannot radically redefine relationships with now Fly (A Putin (who would be humiliated on his doorstep would now become a danger), but he knows that he must work for a solution in order to minimize the disadvantages that the conflict brings. The reasoning is: We have an independent position, we support all attempts at dialogue and will position ourselves in the best possible way as quickly as possible.

An approach that fits well with the desired “peace offensive”. Pope Francis. And it didn’t end with the Chinese stage Soups. The cardinal had not yet returned Italy that the Russian Foreign Minister announced that the envoy of father “He’ll be back soon” a Fly. “We are ready to meet anyone,” he said Lavrov“Ready to talk to everyone.”

Invitation accepted by Vatican with a silence that reveals a desire to avoid exploitation. Ukrainians are already irritated by some of the statements fatherthat’s what they fear Fly Use these visits to improve your international image. A date for the new mission of Soups there is not. But be careful: the Russian invitation is perceived as a Rome as a good sign.

“The Church acts not only on the basis of the conclusions of the situation analysis, but also with spiritual courage,” explains a republic the Apostolic Nuncio in UkraineMonsignor Visvaldas Kulbokas: Part of his mission is to “hop against all hope” and “work in the areas that human logic deems barren.” To advance peace, the men of father In short, they are not afraid to lose face, even if it is necessary.

The initial aim is to achieve humanitarian results. All these months Bergoglio and its employees forwarded to Fly several lists of people to be released. Children, military prisoners, but also – as the head of the Greek Catholic Church said Svyatoslav Shevchuk nowadays a Rome – Civilian prisoners, including doctors and priests. Negotiations, glimmers of hope that can open up peace scenarios.

If at this moment the conditions for real mediation are not present, said the cardinal Soupsthat was a Kyiv, Fly, Washington And Beijing“He is a potential mediator,” emphasizes the ambassador father To Kyiv. “His presence already represents a channel.” Now it’s about not missing this opportunity.