Brokering a Russia-Ukraine “peace deal” is not an easy task for China, according to China economic analyst Antonio Graceffo.
Beijing released a Feb. 24 position paper that outlined China’s ruling communist regime’s desire to become a mediator in the conflict.
On March 20, Chinese leader Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow for a three-day state visit, with Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to discuss China’s proposal for resolving the conflict in Ukraine.
Graceffo said the meeting between Xi and Putin reaffirms to the Russian people that China is still supporting Moscow and the Russian people and the war, given the fact that “Putin has been so thoroughly ostracized from the rest of the world.”
On the other hand, Ukraine has made clear its requirements that Russia has to withdraw forces from its territories country, and on Ukraine’s terms, Graceffo said. A peace deal should also imply that Russia will pay reparations to Ukraine for all the lives and destruction they’ve caused.
“And [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy even said, about a week ago, he wants Crimea back. That is his country. It was stolen by Russia,” Graceffo said.
Read more: It’s Not Easy for China to Play Peacemaker for Russia-Ukraine: Analyst
