Interview Marina Rudyak + Peace Plan from the South’s perspective

The Chinese paper for peace in Ukraine continued to occupy the world over the weekend. The reaction from the West was mostly criticism and skepticism: China could not be an honest peace broker because of its proximity to Russia. This view is particularly widespread in Europe’s capitals.

So, is the paper useless? Not from the Chinese point of view. Sinologist Marina Rudyak explains the motives in an interview with Michael Radunski. China is certainly trying to exert a moderating influence on Russia; after all, it has a real interest in the end of the war and the numerous dilemmas it poses for China’s policy.

At the same time, Beijing is worried about a Russian collapse. Rudyak does not expect a complete turn away from Moscow. However, she considers it equally unlikely that China will actually supply weapons to Russia, even if there might have been attempts.

The actual addressee of the 12-point plan is perhaps not so much in Kyiv or Moscow, nor in Washington or Brussels. Rather, it is all the second-tier countries fed up with the power structures of the traditional superpowers. China strikes a nerve with them, as Frank Sieren analyzes. It is thus worthwhile for Beijing to woo them. Today, the non-aligned states make up the majority of the world, and are economically strong – and China wants to take their lead. Whether it will succeed is an open question.

We wish you a good start to the week.

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Christiane Kühl