The Chinese foreign ministry on Monday denied reports that Beijing could join a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine spearheaded by EU leaders.
“I would like to emphasize that the reports in question are completely untrue, and China’s position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear,” said Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun in response to a journalist’s question on the matter.
China claims to be a neutral party in Russia’s war on Ukraine, but maintains close economic and political ties with Moscow, including by supplying dual-use goods like body armor or drones.
According to German outlet Welt, which originally reported the story Saturday, anonymous Brussels “diplomatic sources” said that China’s participation “could potentially increase Russia’s acceptance of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.”
While Russian President Vladimir Putin has totally rejected the idea of troops from NATO countries being stationed in Ukraine, the participation of Beijing in the mission could bolster the prospects for a successful peacekeeping effort.
The peacekeeping mission being pushed by a “coalition of the willing” is an initiative of Britain and France aiming to unite allied European governments to protect Ukraine after any peace deal is reached. Canada and Turkey could also join the group.
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