According to Vossen, it is also not clear where in Kiev they are talking and who will be there. However, Li is expected to have to find out if Ukraine and Russia can get a little closer. “Nothing else can be found in Chinese media and Chinese news agencies.”
“He knows the country and the culture, so maybe he can play a mediation role”
Li Hui is also one of the highest officials there can be, Vossen says. Li had already been to Russia for ten years as Chinese ambassador and is therefore fluent in Russian. “And that too has been criticized,” says Vossen. ‘People outside of Ukraine think he’s too pro-Russian. But he knows the country and the culture, so maybe that’s why he can play a role of mediator ».
Tours
The visit to Ukraine is Li’s first stop in a series of “peace visits” to Europe. According to Vossen, these visits are aimed at assessing whether China can bring more parties to the negotiating table on the Ukrainian issue. Besides Ukraine, Li also visits Poland, Germany, France and ends up in Russia. “She would prefer to bring Ukraine and Russia to the table, but she is also evaluating the role that France and Germany, for example, can play.”
But, according to Vossen, there is another reason for Li’s European tour: to discuss the new Silk Road. Both Ukraine and Russia play quite an important role in this, because the new route passes through both countries. “He is said to be talking about that as well,” Vossen says.
Chance of success
Whether the mediation attempt has a chance of success remains to be seen, Vossen thinks, “although of course there is always a chance of success.” However, he sees an advantage in the attitude of China, which is trying to adopt a neutral stance but still has good contacts with Russia and Ukraine. “It’s still about trying to keep aloof, even if we’re not talking about war yet, it’s about conflict,” she concludes. “As far as we know, they are not supplying any weapons to the Russians yet. They even managed to bring Iran and Saudi Arabia to the table a few months ago, so it could work.”