Russian Foreign Minister Thanks China for "Not Attending the Swiss Peace Conference"

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Wang Yi, Director of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party Central Committee (also serving as Foreign Minister), on the 10th (local time) and expressed gratitude for "a balanced and consistent policy process regarding the crisis surrounding Ukraine." This was in appreciation of China's decision not to participate in the Ukraine peace conference.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that on the same day, Minister Lavrov met with Director Wang during the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) Foreign Ministers' meeting held in Novgorod, Russia, and made these remarks.

Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister [Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding the Ukraine-related peace conference scheduled for June 15-16 in Switzerland, Minister Lavrov pointed out that "it does not provide Russia with a fair opportunity to participate and does not consider all peace plans and the current situation." Russia has criticized the conference as meaningless since it is being held under Western leadership without inviting Russia.

As Western countries isolate Russia, Russia is closely watching China's attendance at the peace conference, hoping China will become an ally. According to the Swiss government, 90 countries and organizations have registered to participate in the conference.

Minister Lavrov and Director Wang also discussed the security situation in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Russian Foreign Ministry reported that the two foreign leaders had substantive discussions on ensuring security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, considering the U.S. policy aimed at establishing a closed military-political structure with an anti-Russian and anti-Chinese character in the region. They also exchanged views on a new security structure in Eurasia against the backdrop of the stagnation of the European-Atlantic mechanism.

Director Wang told Minister Lavrov, "We must strengthen cooperation in multilateral forums to protect our legitimate interests," adding, "This is also to safeguard the common interests of developing countries."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.