Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, affirmed that he sees “serious obstacles” to peace in Ukraineupon receiving this Friday in Moscow the Chinese emissary Li Hui, who is considering possible negotiated solutions to the conflict.
“The Russian Foreign Minister reiterated Moscow’s commitment to a political-diplomatic solution to the conflict, noting the serious obstacles created by Ukraine and its Western sponsors,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
balanced posture
In his meeting with Li, who was ambassador to Moscow from 2009 to 2019, the Russian minister praised China’s “balanced stance” on the Ukraine conflict.
The Chinese government claims that it maintains a position of neutrality, but Western powers reproach him for his refusal to condemn the military offensive launched by Russia in the former Soviet republic in February 2022.
In the talks between Lavrov and Li Hui, “both parties expressed their willingness to strengthen cooperation between Russia and China in foreign policy matters, permanently oriented towards maintaining peace and stability in the region and on the planet as a whole.” , said the Russian ministerial statement.
with Zelensky
Li Hui was received in kyiv in mid-May by the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky. At the end of that mission, the Chinese emissary declared that “there is no panacea to resolve the crisis” and urged all parties to “dialogue.”
Russia and China strengthened their economic and diplomatic ties since the beginning of the Russian intervention in Ukrainewhile the Western powers multiplied the sanctions against Moscow.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said during his visit to Moscow in March that bilateral relations were entering a “new era”..