China 'welcomes' US-Russia consensus on Ukraine conflict, calls for inclusive talks

China's top envoy to the United Nations on Monday emphasized that his nation "welcomes" the recent consensus reached on Ukraine peace negotiations by the United States and Russia and it hopes that all parties involved will participate in the process to reach a "fair" and "mutually accepted" peace agreement.

"China welcomes all efforts toward peace, including the consensus reached between the US and Russia on initiating peace talks," Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, said at a UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine. He chaired the meeting as the rotating president of the Security Council in February.

"China hopes that all parties involved, as well as relevant stakeholders, will participate in the peace process to reach a fair, lasting, binding and mutually accepted peace agreement," he added.

Fu then emphasized that because the three-year-long conflict is taking place on European soil, "Europe has a responsibility to contribute to peace." He called on all parties to "jointly address the root causes of the crisis through negotiations and to establish a balanced, effective and sustainable security framework to ensure long-term stability in Europe".

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that Kyiv would not participate in the upcoming US-Russia negotiations set to take place in Saudi Arabia starting Tuesday, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.

"Ukraine will not take part. Ukraine knew nothing about this," said Zelensky. He said Kyiv will not accept results of the negotiations that do not involve Ukraine.

"We cannot recognize anything or any agreements about us without us. And we will not recognize such agreements," he said.

Both the White House and the Kremlin released statements confirming that the two leaders had discussed the possibility of a swift cease-fire in Ukraine, without consulting the European Union (EU) or Ukraine. In response, the EU formally requested to be included in the negotiations.

During a news briefing on Thursday, Paula Pinho, chief spokesperson of the European Commission, emphasized Europe's stake in Ukraine's security. "Ukraine's security is Europe's security," she stated. "If there is a discussion about Ukraine's security, Europe is concerned. If there's a discussion about Europe's security, it also involves Ukraine," she stressed.

Fu recalled that 10 years ago, the parties involved in the Ukraine conflict reached an agreement through negotiations — the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements, which is commonly called Minsk II.

The agreement to halt fighting between Russian separatist groups and Ukrainian armed forces in the Donbas region was unanimously endorsed by the UN Security Council through Resolution 2202.

"But most provisions of the agreement were never fully or effectively implemented, and instead of de-escalation, tensions intensified, leading to a full-scale crisis and larger-scale conflicts that continue to this day," Fu said. He described the failure of the Minsk II as "regrettable", emphasizing that "its historical lessons deserve reflection".

Regarding China's stance on resolving the Ukraine crisis, Fu said that China has "consistently advocated for settling global disputes and conflicts through dialogue, consultation and political means, which applies equally to the Ukraine issue".

"China did not create the Ukraine crisis, nor is it a party to the crisis, yet China has neither stood idle nor taken advantage of it," said Fu, adding that from the day after the crisis broke out, China has called for resolution through dialogue and consultation.

Fu said that China has always been guided by the four points on what must be done, namely the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected; the purposes and principles of the UN Charter observed; the legitimate security concerns of all countries given due regard; and all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis supported.

"China has actively engaged in diplomatic mediation" and, together with Brazil and other Global South countries, launched the "Friends of Peace" platform, Fu added.