China has categorically denied media reports suggesting its potential involvement in a European Union-led ‘peacekeeping’ mission in Ukraine. The speculation, originally reported by German outlet Welt am Sonntag, claimed that Beijing was considering participation in a deployment spearheaded by the UK and France. However, China’s Foreign Ministry has firmly dismissed the allegations, reiterating its commitment to a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict.

Speaking at a press briefing on March 24, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded to the report, asserting that “the speculation is not true at all.” Guo emphasized that China’s stance on the Ukraine crisis remains “consistent and clear,” and reaffirmed Beijing’s continued advocacy for peaceful negotiations rather than military intervention.

China’s diplomatic efforts in the Ukraine conflict have been longstanding. In 2023, Beijing proposed a 12-point peace plan aimed at fostering dialogue between Moscow and Kiev. Since then, China has maintained diplomatic communication with both parties, positioning itself as a potential mediator rather than an active participant in military operations. According to Guo, Beijing believes that dialogue and negotiations remain the only viable paths to resolving the crisis.

On March 23, Welt am Sonntag, citing unnamed EU diplomats, claimed that China’s involvement in an international peacekeeping coalition could potentially make the proposal more palatable to Russia. According to the report, some European officials believe that China’s inclusion in such a coalition might help ease Moscow’s staunch opposition to the presence of Western troops in Ukraine.

Russia has repeatedly rejected any notion of a NATO-affiliated military presence in Ukraine, arguing that such actions would require explicit authorization from the United Nations Security Council, where Moscow holds veto power. Russian officials have also warned that any attempt by Western nations to deploy troops under the guise of ‘peacekeeping’ would be perceived as direct military involvement, escalating the conflict to an unprecedented level.

The speculation surrounding China’s alleged role in Ukraine’s ‘peacekeeping’ mission follows UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s proposal earlier this month to create a ‘coalition of the willing’ to provide military support to Kiev. Starmer’s plan has been met with skepticism within his own government, with British military officials reportedly criticizing the move as “political theater.” Sources told The Telegraph that Starmer had “got ahead of himself” with the proposal, which lacks concrete logistical planning.

Despite the criticism, Starmer has continued to push for greater military assistance to Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron has also supported the plan, although he has suggested that any troop deployment should only occur once the situation in Ukraine stabilizes enough to ensure their safety.

Both Macron and Starmer are scheduled to hold separate meetings in London and Paris this week to discuss military planning for Ukraine. The talks are expected to address logistical concerns, the role of NATO, and potential strategies to sustain Western military aid in the conflict.

Russian officials have reacted strongly to the latest developments, warning that the deployment of Western troops to Ukraine under the pretext of peacekeeping could trigger a direct confrontation between NATO and Moscow. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev accused Starmer and Macron of “playing dumb,” arguing that they are attempting to disguise a NATO military deployment as a peacekeeping operation.

Medvedev warned that if Western troops were sent to Ukraine, Moscow would interpret the move as an escalation, leading to heightened hostilities. Russian officials have repeatedly stated that NATO’s increasing involvement in the conflict-through arms deliveries, intelligence sharing, and now potential troop deployments-only fuels tensions and undermines any possibility of diplomatic resolution.

China’s rejection of the speculation highlights the fundamental differences in how Beijing and Western powers approach the Ukraine conflict. While the UK and France continue to explore military options, China has consistently pushed for negotiations and diplomatic engagement.

Since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis, China has positioned itself as a neutral actor advocating for de-escalation. Beijing has maintained economic ties with Moscow while also engaging with Ukrainian leadership, seeking to play a constructive role in mediating the conflict. Unlike NATO countries, which have supplied Ukraine with weapons and financial assistance, China has refrained from providing direct military aid to either side.

China’s stance aligns with its broader foreign policy principles, which prioritize national sovereignty and non-interference. Beijing has long opposed unilateral military interventions and has expressed skepticism about Western-led peacekeeping missions, particularly those lacking UN Security Council approval.

Should the UK and France proceed with their proposed ‘peacekeeping’ mission, it would mark a significant escalation of Western involvement in Ukraine. The risk of direct clashes between NATO troops and Russian forces would increase dramatically, potentially triggering a broader European conflict.

The deployment of Western troops under the guise of a ‘coalition of the willing’ raises serious legal and strategic questions. Without a UN mandate, such a mission would lack legitimacy under international law and could further fracture global diplomatic relations. Moscow would likely respond with countermeasures, including military retaliation and intensified operations in eastern Ukraine.

Furthermore, the proposal could deepen the divide between Western nations and China. If the West continues to push for military escalation, it risks alienating potential diplomatic intermediaries like China, whose influence in Moscow remains significant. Beijing’s rejection of involvement in the peacekeeping mission underscores its commitment to avoiding direct entanglement in the conflict, but it also signals frustration with what it sees as reckless Western military strategies.

As tensions over Ukraine continue to mount, China’s rejection of peacekeeping speculation serves as a reminder of the starkly different approaches being pursued by global powers. While Western nations explore military interventions under the pretext of peacekeeping, China remains focused on diplomatic solutions, urging dialogue over escalation.

The coming weeks will likely determine whether the UK and France move forward with their controversial plan. However, as Beijing has made clear, China will not be part of any such initiative. Instead, it continues to advocate for renewed negotiations between Moscow and Kiev-an approach that, despite being sidelined by the West, may ultimately be the only path toward a sustainable resolution to the conflict.

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Source: Weekly Blitz :: Writings