In a shift in Chinese foreign policy – choosing not to get involved in other states’ disputes – the Beijing sends for the first time a high-ranking Chinese official to Ukrainetomorrow and the day after tomorrow, with the aim of discussing a “political settlement” of the Ukrainian crisis.

In February 2023, China presented a 12-point text to reach a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, but Kiev rejected it.

Also, last March, during his visit to the Russian capital, Chinese President Xi Jinping called his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, a “dear friend” while presenting him with a plan.

Chinese envoy Li Hui, a former ambassador to Russia and China’s special envoy for Eurasian Affairs, has been appointed to discuss the settlement of the war in Ukraine.

Li Hui will be in Kiev tomorrow, Tuesday, and the day after, Wednesday, a senior Ukrainian government official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The Chinese envoy will also visit Poland, France, Germany and Russia.