The first reactions from both Ukraine and Russia to the move by Beijing, which in the role of mediator announced its 12-point peace plan to end the war between Ukraine and Russia, were positive.

Both countries welcome and applaud China’s intervention, however, they did not hesitate to set their own terms already in order to advance a peace process that could also mean the end of the war.

Zelensky: There are points in the Chinese sentences that were understandable and others that are not

At the press conference he gave today to mark the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, referring to the text of the peace plan proposed by China, said that in this document, “It seems to me that there is respect for our territorial integrity, things that concern security. We need to work with China on this. I think China has revealed its thoughts. China started talking about Ukraine and that’s not a bad thing.”

He pointed out, however, that there are points in the Chinese proposals that “they were understandable” and “there are those that are not”.

At the same time, Volodymyr Zelensky revealed during the press conference that he plans to meet the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, and stressed that it would be “useful” for both countries and for global security.

“As far as I know, China respects historical integrity,” argued and emphasized that “China must do everything it can to ensure that the Russian Federation withdraws from our territory because that means respecting territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

Kremlin: We share Beijing’s views but…

For her part, the representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharovasays that Moscow appreciated China’s plan to resolve the conflict in Ukraine and said it was open to achieving the goals of its “special military operation” through political and diplomatic means.

“We appreciate the sincere desire of our Chinese friends to contribute to the resolution of the conflict in Ukraine through peaceful means… We share Beijing’s views,” he said.

But she stressed that this would also mean recognizing “new territorial realities” in Ukraine, Zakharova said, referring to Russia’s unilateral annexation of four Ukrainian regions, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhia.

Distrust from NATO and the EU

Anyway, that’s it NATO as well as the EU they did not hide their distrust of China’s peace plan.

In particular, the head of NATO limited himself to characterizing China as having limited credibility, on the grounds that Beijing has not clearly stated that Russia is wrong in the conflict with Ukraine. Specifically, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters in Tallinn that “China does not have much credibility because it failed to condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine.”

The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said for her part that China did not talk about a peace plan, but about some principles.

“You have to see them against a certain background and that is that China has already chosen a side by signing, for example, a treaty of unlimited friendship right before the invasion,” he pointed out.

“So we will of course look at the principles, but we will look at them in the light that China has chosen a side,” he added.

But she is cautious and Germany as Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called it “doubtful” whether Beijing really wants to play such a constructive role.

White House: Respect for national sovereignty is “key”.

The White House considers the crucial element in China’s 12-point proposal to resolve the crisis in Ukraine to be support for Ukrainian sovereignty and called on all countries to respect national sovereignty.

When asked about the plan, which was announced earlier today on the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion, White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said: “The first two lines in that document, really, are what should stay, viz respect for national sovereignty”.

Kirby added that all countries should respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, but stopped short of characterizing the rest of the Chinese plan.

UN: Chinese plan is ‘significant contribution’

As one “significant contribution”, characterized the Chinese document the representative of the UN Secretary General, particularly welcoming the call not to use nuclear weapons.

“I think the plan presented by the Chinese government is an important contribution. I think the call for the need to avoid the use of nuclear weapons is particularly important,” Stéphane Dujarric told reporters, stressing the “collective responsibility”to achieve “a just peace” as requested by the overwhelming majority of the UN General Assembly.

What does the Chinese document say?

The text is entitled “China’s Position on the Political Resolution of the Ukrainian Crisis” and calls for the two sides to start peace talks.

Respect for sovereignty

“The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries must be effectively protected,” it said.

A call for dialogue

Beijing is calling on Russia and Ukraine to hold peace talks, stressing that “dialogue and negotiations are the only viable solution.”

“The international community should remain committed to the right approach which consists of promoting peace talks, assisting the parties (involved) in this conflict to open the door to a political settlement as soon as possible and to create the necessary conditions and platforms to resume negotiations”, China estimates.

No to nuclear weapons

The text opposes any use of nuclear weapons: “We must prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and a nuclear crisis.”

China “is opposed to the research, development and use of chemical and biological weapons by all countries and under any circumstances”, it is recalled.

The two sides “should strictly comply with international humanitarian law, refrain from attacking civilians or civilian infrastructure buildings,” the text added.

No to the ‘Cold War mentality’

The Cold War mentality must be “abandoned,” Beijing insists, an argument it often repeats.

Limiting the economic impact

Beijing is also calling for the global economy to be shielded from the fallout from the crisis in Ukraine, notably through the Black Sea Grain Initiative, an agreement that allows Ukrainian grain to be exported.

Another priority of China is “maintaining stability in industrial and supply chains». For this reason the parties involved should “oppose the use of the global economy as a tool or weapon for political purposes”.

Also in the text it is stated that “the security of a region should not be gained by strengthening or expanding military blocs” and that “the legitimate interests and concerns of all countries in whatever regarding security should be taken seriously.”