China sends envoys to Ukraine for a 'political settlement' with Russia

Xi Jinping's phone conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday was the Chinese and Ukrainian presidents' first contact since Beijing's strategic ally Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

AFP answers some key questions about China's diplomatic ambitions and its plans for Ukraine:

What is China proposing?

Xi told Zelensky that China's core position is to promote peace talks, and promised to send a delegation to Ukraine to help find a ‘political settlement’.

The delegation will be led by Li Hui, China's ambassador to Russia from 2009 to 2019.

But the choice of Li has raised eyebrows: shortly before leaving Moscow, President Vladimir Putin awarded him the Order of Friendship medal.

Chinese state media at the time said the award was not only an honour for himself, but it also represents the ‘friendship between the Russian and Chinese people’.

Read: G7 vows 'severe costs' for those helping Russia

Xi's phone call with Zelensky follows Beijing's publication in February of a 12-point position paper on Ukraine, which called for dialogue and respect for all countries' territorial sovereignty.

The paper was panned by the West for its vague wording, though it prompted Zelensky to say he would be open to talks with Xi.

Ja Ian Chong, associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore (Nus), said Wednesday's phone call was ‘a positive step forward’ in that it re-established contact at the highest levels, but it remains a first step.

"Any substantive forward movement requires some ability to credibly commit Russia to restraint," he told AFP.

Why now?

Wednesday's call follows a Chinese diplomatic charm offensive aimed at reshaping strained ties with Europe after three years of Covid isolation.

French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen visited China earlier this month.

Macron sparked a stir near the end of the trip by telling reporters Europe should not be drawn into a fight between Beijing and Washington over democratic Western-backed Taiwan.

Read: Macron counts on Xi to 'bring Russia to its senses'

“Beijing could be signalling that it is willing to engage with Ukraine to soften some of the harsher voices towards China in the EU", analyst Bill Bishop wrote in his Sinocism newsletter. 

“It could also be seeking to further the goal of encouraging European strategic autonomy and wedging some distance between the EU and the US", he added.

The Chinese government has also positioned itself as mediator in other international crises, including brokering a surprise thaw last month of ties between Middle East rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran.

In another ambitious bid, Beijing has signalled a willingness to help facilitate talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

What ties does China have with Russia?

China positions itself as a neutral party on the Ukraine war.

But China and Russia have in recent years ramped up economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts, with their partnership only growing closer since the invasion.

Beijing has refused to condemn Moscow for the invasion and refers to the conflict as a ‘crisis’, with Xi and Putin declaring at a Moscow meeting in March that bilateral ties have entered a ‘new era’.

Analysts say China holds the upper hand in the relationship with Russia, and that its sway is growing as Moscow's international isolation deepens.

Read: Russia passes China in sub-Saharan Africa arms supply

How is the world reacting?

Zelensky said the call - and the appointment of a Ukrainian ambassador to China - give ‘a powerful impetus to the development’ of ties between the two nations.

Western powers responded to the conversation with cautious optimism, with the EU saying it was an ‘important, long overdue first step’ as it urged China to exert its influence on Russia.

A French presidential official said Paris ‘encourages all dialogue’ that can contribute to a resolution of the conflict and in line with the ‘fundamental interests of Kyiv’ and international law.

The United States also welcomed the phone call, with White House national security spokesman John Kirby calling it a "good thing".

Moscow has accused Zelensky of undermining peace attempts, while noting "the readiness of the Chinese side to make efforts to establish a negotiation process".

Can China be a peace broker?

Xi's ‘no-limits friendship’ with Putin raises questions over the Chinese leader's impartiality.

The white house said it was still unclear whether China's involvement would lead to a ‘meaningful peace movement or plan or proposal’.

Han Yang, a Sydney-based commentator and former Chinese diplomat, commented on Wednesday that there are no winners in a nuclear war to Xi's tweet that read: “Essentially Xi pressuring Zelensky to concede to Putin's territorial demands. If you don't start negotiation, there is possibility of Russia dropping the bomb, and it will be on you".

Read: Ruto: Nobody gains from Russia-Ukraine war

If China's efforts help broker a settlement, the NUS's Chong said it would demonstrate Beijing's ability to play a constructive global role and perhaps underscore Xi's role as a global leader.