Two years into the Ukraine crisis, what, ’s next?
On February 24, the Ukraine crisis marked its two-year anniversary, with ongoing fighting and no sign of abating. The crisis has affected not only Ukraine but also its European neighbors, leading to uncertainty and a crumbling security architecture. The Munich Security Conference last month highlighted concerns about a lose-lose outcome. Both Russia and Ukraine, the parties to the conflict, appear unprepared or unwilling to stop fighting and enter negotiations. There have been efforts to encourage peace talks, including international peace conferences hosted by France and Malta, but without the participation of both conflicting parties, these efforts have seen limited success. Ambassador Li Hui, the Chinese special representative on Eurasian affairs, engaged in shuttle diplomacy, holding talks with officials in Moscow, Kiev, and several European capitals to bridge differences and promote peace. China, under President Xi Jinping, has advocated for respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, observing UN Charter principles, addressing legitimate security concerns, and supporting peaceful crisis resolution. China aims to promote a negotiated peace and encourages the international community to support peace efforts.