China Declines Invitation to Ukraine Peace Conference

China has announced that it will not attend the Ukraine peace conference scheduled for mid-June in Switzerland. The Chinese Foreign Ministry cited several reasons for its decision, including the lack of participation from both Russia and Ukraine, as well as the conference's failure to meet China's expectations for a broad-based and inclusive event.

China has consistently advocated for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine and has called for an international peace conference that includes both Russia and Ukraine. The country has also expressed concerns about the arrangements for the Swiss conference, arguing that they fall short of the international community's expectations.

Russia and Ukraine's Stances on the Conference

Russia has dismissed the Swiss conference as meaningless without its participation, while Ukraine has expressed hope that the event could help garner broader international support for its demand for a complete Russian withdrawal.

China's Role in the Ukraine Conflict

China has maintained a neutral stance on the conflict, refusing to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, it has also refrained from providing direct military assistance to Russia. Instead, China has called for a peaceful resolution through diplomacy and has put forward its own proposals for ending the war.

International Pressure on China

Several European leaders and the United States have urged China to do more to curb exports of dual-use items and critical components that could be used by Russia's military. China has insisted that its exports are subject to oversight and that it maintains normal trade relations with Russia.

Global South Participation in the Conference

Switzerland is seeking to persuade more countries from the Global South, as well as China, to attend the conference. The goal is to ensure a broad-based and inclusive event that can contribute to a peaceful resolution of the conflict.