German newspaper: China wants to join the coalition of the willing

AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS

China is considering the possibility of joining a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, and has asked the European Union whether its European partners support such an initiative, the German newspaper Welt reported, citing diplomatic sources in Brussels.

According to these sources, China's participation in the peacekeeping force could encourage Russia to change its negative attitude towards peacekeeping missions on Ukrainian territory. However, such a move, diplomats point out, would be "delicate" and requires an extremely cautious approach.

The idea of ​​sending an international peacekeeping force has come into focus again ahead of a summit to be held in Paris next week.

Britain is pushing the idea of ​​peacekeeping missions, Russia is categorically against it

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that the goal of the summit is to agree on concrete steps for short-term support for Ukraine, as well as to consider the possibility of deploying peacekeeping forces in the event of a ceasefire.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also confirmed his participation in the summit, where he will discuss further international support for Ukraine with his partners.

While the UK supports the idea of ​​a peacekeeping mission, the proposal continues to provoke heated debate – especially since Russia categorically rejects any possibility of peacekeeping forces arriving on Ukrainian territory.

The US has announced new talks with Russia and Ukraine on a possible ceasefire, although Macron has stated that Russia's refusal to seriously consider a ceasefire shows its lack of real will for a peaceful solution.

China's position on a peaceful resolution to the war in Ukraine

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022, China has called the war in Ukraine a "crisis" and has repeatedly stressed the need for a peaceful resolution.

In February 2023, Beijing presented its own "peace plan", which included a call for continued negotiations and criticism of Western sanctions.

In the fall of 2024, it was reported that China and Brazil had developed a joint peace plan, but it did not include key provisions from the United Nations Charter.

China has also expressed its readiness to participate in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. Li Ming, a spokesman for the China International Development Cooperation Agency, said that Chinese assistance would be in line with the wishes of the parties to the conflict.

What is a "coalition of the willing"?

The coalition of the willing is an informal association of countries that have decided to act independently, outside of traditional frameworks such as NATO or the European Union, to support Ukraine in the current geopolitical crisis.

The initiative, which originated from the cabinet of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, brought together about 20 countries, mostly from Europe and the Commonwealth, which are ready to provide various forms of assistance - from military and security to financial support.

This coalition reflects a shift in European security thinking, where countries recognize the need to act independently of traditional alliances.