Escalation in Ukraine leaves Chinese president in delicate position

While most diplomats at an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting condemned Vladimir Putin’s government for escalating tensions with Ukraine, China’s envoy carefully avoided any mention of Russia.

“All parties involved must exercise restraint and avoid any action that could fuel tensions.Ambassador Zhang Jun said Monday as part of a six-sentence statement. “The current situation in Ukraine is the result of many complex factors”, he added. “China always has its own position, according to the merits of the matter itself.”

The brief comment contrasted with a lengthy joint statement earlier this month after the first face-to-face meeting of Putin with Xi Jinping in two years. The Chinese leader subsequently backed Russia’s demand for binding security guarantees from the United States and NATO in the standoff over Ukraine, providing vital support for Putin in his confrontation with the West.

Now, however, the Xi government is taking a more nuanced tone as fears of an invasion mount despite repeated Russian denials. Over the weekend, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that China defended Ukraine’s right to “sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity” even while criticizing the West for “creating panic”.

Following Putin’s decision on Monday to recognize two breakaway republics in eastern Ukraine, Wang Yi urged all parties to uphold the principles of the United Nations during a phone call with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin later called on all involved to “cool down the situation through dialogue and negotiation.”

“China will have to walk a fine line in this crisissaid Noah Barkin, an expert on Europe-China relations at US research firm Rhodium Group. The country “he will avoid openly criticizing Russia’s actions in Ukraine, while affirming his support for the principles of territorial integrity and non-interference. The more the conflict in Ukraine escalates, the harder it will be for Beijing to stay on that line.”

For Xi, the crisis is a test of his efforts to portray China as a responsible world leader. While Putin is known for his military adventures, China regularly claims to uphold an international order backed by UN agencies while condemning the United States and its allies as criminals for imposing targeted financial sanctions.

One of China’s main concerns is stability in a politically sensitive year. Later in 2022, Xi is expected to secure an unprecedented third term at a twice-a-decade Communist Party meeting.