Germany urges ‘more active’ Chinese role in ending Russia-Ukraine war

BERLIN

Germany on Friday called for a “more active” Chinese role in ending the Russia-Ukraine war as Chancellor Olaf Scholz is set to embark on a three-day visit to China on Saturday for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Li Qiang.

“We hope that China will become more actively involved in efforts to end the war and influence Russia in this regard,” a high-ranking Chancellery source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told media representatives in Berlin.

What we expect is China’s “pro-active support for all diplomatic efforts to end the war and withdrawal of Russian troops,” he reiterated.

The Chancellery official made clear again that the Russian war in Ukraine violated international law and affected German and European “core interests.”

Scholz also plans to discuss the Ukrainian war when he meets the Chinese leadership on April 16, including Beijing’s likely mediation role between Moscow and Kyiv, government spokesman Steffen Hebestreit said last week.

“I believe China has influence on Russia and our wish would be that China can use the influence it has on Russia in order to contribute to a more peaceful development in the Ukraine conflict,” he said.

China has been trying for a long time to find a solution to Russia's war on Ukraine.

In March, Ukrainian leaders and officials in Kyiv again sought support for a solution at a meeting with Chinese special envoy Li Hui.

China is considered a close ally of Russia and emphasizes its neutrality in the conflict. Beijing had proposed a peace plan, but it was met with criticism in Kyiv.

Ukraine insists that only President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's plan will be implemented. The focal point of Zelenskyy's actions is the demand for a withdrawal of Russian troops from all occupied areas of Ukraine.

Moscow rejects Zelenskyy's plan as "unrealistic."