Scholz hopes China will take part in Ukraine peace summit
Published: Friday, Apr 12th 2024, 15:30
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The German head of government, Olaf Scholz, hopes that Russia-friendly countries such as China, Brazil and South Africa will also take part in the Ukraine peace summit planned for mid-June in Switzerland. Germany has always supported the process that led to this conference.
The Chancellor emphasized this on Friday after a meeting with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobachidze in Berlin. It was now a matter of organizing this summit in such a way that "a large participation" from all over the world - for example from Arab countries, China, South Africa or Brazil - would be possible. He pointed out that China had taken part in one of the preparatory meetings at advisor level.
Scholz sets off on a three-day visit to China on Saturday and will meet President Xi Jinping on Tuesday. China is considered Russia's most important ally. The leadership in Beijing presented a position paper on the Ukraine conflict last year and most recently sent a special envoy to Europe in March for talks on the issue. Western diplomats assume that the summit's chances of success stand or fall with China's participation.
In addition to China, three other members of the G20 group of leading economic powers also have close ties with Russia: Brazil, South Africa and India. Russia itself will not be invited to the summit, but Ukraine will. The summit is to take place on June 15 and 16 in neutral Switzerland.
Among other things, the so-called peace formula of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi is to be discussed. It calls for the unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from all occupied territories in Ukraine. The Russian aggressors, on the other hand, insist on peace on their terms. This includes the retention of previous conquests and Ukraine's renunciation of NATO membership and a powerful army.
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