The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied claims that Beijing is considering taking part in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.
According to a report from the Global Times, a spokesperson for the ministry, Guo Jiakun, dismissed a story published by Germany’s Welt am Sonntag as completely false. The German outlet had alleged that Chinese officials in Brussels had discussed the idea of joining peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine.
Guo rejected those claims outright, stating that no such conversations had taken place. Reports suggesting that Chinese diplomats consulted with European representatives on how China’s potential involvement in a so-called “coalition of the willing” would be perceived were also denied.
While some European leaders have indicated that China’s inclusion in a peacekeeping effort could influence Russia’s stance, the topic remains sensitive and unresolved.
China’s Stance on the Ukraine War
Beijing continues to refer to the war in Ukraine as a “crisis” and has repeatedly emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution.
In February 2023, China released a 12-point peace plan, calling for renewed negotiations and opposing unilateral sanctions. The proposal also stressed the importance of respecting national sovereignty and condemned the use of nuclear weapons.
By February 2024, China’s UN representative, Zhang Jun, urged the United States to halt military aid to Ukraine, arguing that continued arms support was blocking diplomatic progress.
He stated that the delivery of weapons and missiles was hindering efforts to begin meaningful peace talks with Russia.
Later, in fall 2024, China and Brazil introduced a new peace initiative, though this plan largely focused on a ceasefire and freezing the conflict, rather than resolving the core issues.
The “Coalition of the Willing”
Several European and allied nations have expressed a willingness to contribute peacekeeping forces to Ukraine, should a settlement be reached under a “coalition of the willing” framework.
Countries that have either confirmed their interest or not ruled it out include:
Denmark, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, France, Portugal, Turkey, Lithuania, Latvia, Germany, Ireland, and the Czech Republic.
