COMMENTARY / World

China says it’s neutral on the Russia-Ukraine war, but is it?

Xi has contacted Putin multiple times in the past year — but has had zero contact with Zelenskyy

Chinese servicemen march in Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow in May 2015. China’s trade with Russia rose by 34.3% in 2022, and it soaked up its neighbor’s boycotted-energy exports. | REUTERS

By Frank Ching
Contributing writer

Mar 8, 2023

China has wrapped the cloak of neutrality around itself, saying that it wants peace talks leading to a political settlement in Ukraine.

Mao Ning, a Chinese spokesperson, said: “China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We have maintained communication with all parties concerned, including Ukraine.”

That is true, but it is only part of the truth. China’s communication with Russia is at the highest level, with multiple contacts between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, occurring in the last 12 months. By contrast, Xi hasn’t spoken even once with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian leader.

China says it’s neutral on the Russia-Ukraine war, but is it?

Xi has contacted Putin multiple times in the past year — but has had zero contact with Zelenskyy

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