China Lobbies Against Ukraine Peace Summit in Lucerne, Advocates for Alternative Plan
China is notably absent from an upcoming summit in Lucerne aimed at building support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s peace proposals, opting instead to promote its alternative plan. Ninety states and organizations have registered for the weekend summit, which seeks a comprehensive approach to ending the conflict, including the complete withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.
Moscow, excluded from the Lucerne meeting, has dismissed the event as ineffective. China, citing the non-inclusion of Russia as a primary reason, has chosen not to participate, labeling the summit as not meeting its criteria. This move has been interpreted by some diplomats as a “subtle boycott.”
In the lead-up to the summit, China has been actively lobbying other governments to support its vision for peace, which diverges from the Western-backed Ukrainian plan. Diplomats indicate that China has subtly suggested that the Lucerne meeting might extend the conflict rather than resolve it, especially in discussions with developing nations.
Chinese diplomacy has not directly criticized the Swiss summit or explicitly asked nations to abstain. However, Beijing has conveyed to some countries that many developing nations share its skepticism regarding the summit’s efficacy. This perspective appears to be part of a broader effort by China to influence global opinion and advocate for its alternative proposals, which align more closely with Russia’s interests.
China’s non-participation has drawn criticism from Ukraine and its allies, who have lobbied for Beijing’s involvement to lend legitimacy and foster a broader consensus on the peace process. Ukrainian President Zelenskiy has accused China of aiding Russia in undermining the summit, a claim that Beijing has denied.
The Lucerne summit represents a significant diplomatic effort by Ukraine and its Western allies to garner international support for a peace framework that includes Russia’s withdrawal from Ukrainian territory. The absence of China, a major global player with close ties to Russia, highlights the geopolitical complexities and divergent perspectives on how to achieve a lasting resolution to the conflict.
