China is willing to play a “constructive role” in resolving the current conflict in Ukraine, according to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, while simultaneously assisting Russia in protecting its “interests.” Wang made this claim in an interview with the Russian state news agency RIA Novosti on April 1, 2025, while in Moscow for a scheduled meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Wang emphasized China’s willingness to support peace initiatives while taking into consideration the goals of all parties. Lavrov praised the extraordinary levels of bilateral relations under the leadership of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, while Wang described their cooperation as entering a “new stage,” both men emphasized the close ties between their countries.
China has declared that it will not give either side of the conflict in Ukraine any lethal assistance, positioning itself as a neutral party. But because of its strong political and economic ties to Russia, Beijing has been called a “decisive enabler” of Moscow’s policies by NATO members.
China’s position on the conflict is the result of a difficult balancing act. Beijing has advocated for dialogue and moderation but has not endorsed sanctions against Moscow or denounced Russia’s invasion. Ukraine praised its 12-point peace proposal on the first anniversary of the war, but it was criticized for having no real answers and seeming to validate Russia’s security concerns. While acknowledging China’s desire for peace, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy insisted that any agreement must include Russia’s full withdrawal from Ukrainian territory.
Moscow has been able to lessen the effects of Western sanctions thanks to China’s growing economic cooperation with Russia. Although there is still doubt about Beijing’s objectivity and sincerity as a mediator, experts believe that its participation in peace talks could help it exert more influence over Russia.
