China’s Foreign Ministry has indicated the country will be absent from a Ukraine peace summit to be held in Switzerland in June.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is calling on the United States and China to join the conference to realize his peace plan. Russia is urging countries not to take part.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning spoke at a news conference on Friday. She said China has been in close communication with Switzerland and maintains the meeting should be held on certain conditions. These include the recognition of the conference by both Russia and Ukraine and fair discussions of all peace plans.
Mao added that the conditions presented by China are unlikely to be met, and the meeting’s arrangement differs from proposals by China and expectations from the international community. She noted it would be difficult for China to take part.
The spokesperson said China has already conveyed its concerns to relevant parties.
Beijing has denied providing military support to Russia, but has been strengthening ties with Moscow amid tensions with the United States.