Source: Newsweek Published: 2023-03-01

China is making a new push to end the Russia-Ukraine war by launching new shuttle diplomacy.

The new effort to mediate the ongoing conflict in Ukraine involves China's special envoy for Eurasian affairs, Li Hui, embarking on a 'shuttle diplomacy tour' aimed at fostering a peaceful resolution.

'The protraction of the Ukraine crisis does not serve the common interest of the international community. The main objective of the upcoming round of shuttle diplomacy is to build consensus for ceasefire and pave the way for peace talks,' Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a daily press briefing on Thursday.

'China stands ready to continue to play its role and contribute China's wisdom to seeking a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.'

China hasn't officially backed Russia's war in Ukraine, but Beijing has provided financial assistance to Moscow as the war drags on.

China has endeavored to present itself as a neutral party seeking peace, despite facing criticism for its close relationship with Moscow and its refusal to denounce Russia's military actions. The European Union has explicitly cautioned China against supporting Russia's war efforts or contravening sanctions.

Starting Saturday, Li will visit Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, France, and the European Union headquarters in Brussels, marking his second attempt at mediation following a similar mission last May which failed to yield immediate results, Chinese state media outlet Global Times reported on Wednesday.

Observers, however, maintain low expectations for the tour's success.

'War fatigue could create possibilities to negotiate a ceasefire,' Wang Yiwei, an international relations professor at Renmin University in Beijing, told Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post on Friday.

'However, those negotiations will depend on the situation on the battlefield,' Wang told SCMP.

Meanwhile, China's Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong held consultations with Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Rudenko Andrey Yurevich in Moscow from February 26 to 27.

'The two sides also exchanged views on the Ukrainian crisis, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and other international and regional issues of common concern,' the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

Li Lifan, a Russia specialist at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences, told SCMP that Li Hui's journey might also aim to enhance Sino-European relations. This effort is paralleled by an anticipated tour of Europe by President Xi Jinping, with Serbia announced as the first confirmed stop, SCMP reported.

Li Lifan hinted at possible adjustments in China's mediation strategy and readiness to 'respond to the complaints made by European countries,' according to SCMP. Yet, Li Lifan further acknowledged the ultimate resolution lies with Moscow and Kyiv, beyond the sway of external nations.

Critics argue that China's involvement is less about mediation and more about diplomatic posturing. Justyna Szczudlik, a China analyst at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, told SCMP described Li's tour as part of China's 'smile diplomacy' or 'charm offensive' rather than genuine peacemaking efforts.

Notably, Li has been absent from major global peace discussions on Ukraine, including conferences in Copenhagen and Malta, Szczudlik said.

'Li Hui's unexpected reappearance a few days after the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine is not to mediate, but to try to improve his image in Europe,' Szczudlik told SCMP.