The Ukrainian crisis, the biggest conflict on the European continent since World War II, has been going on for more than a year. The situation is not only not cleared up, but on the contrary, it is becoming more and more complex and incomprehensible. China is not involved in the conflict, but it is not sitting on the sidelines either. Instead, he actively promotes peaceful dialogue and a political settlement.

A few days ago, the Chinese government formulated and published a document entitled “China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis”, which comprehensively and systematically analyzes China’s main position and proposals, reaffirming the need to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states. the legitimate security interests of all countries must be taken seriously and all efforts to peacefully resolve the crisis must be supported.

China reiterates that there should be no nuclear war – a war in which there will be no winners. It also condemns armed attacks on nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities associated with the peaceful use of nuclear energy and calls on all parties to mitigate the effects of the crisis by ensuring the stability of production and supply chains and preventing the global economic recovery from being hit. .

To get out of the crisis, we must first distance ourselves from it and find answers through the convergence of history and modern reality. Ancient Greece was the birthplace of historical science. Thucydides, as the first historian, tried to reveal the true causes of historical events with his work “History of the Peloponnesian War”. Today’s European politicians must also objectively analyze the causes of the Russian-Ukrainian war in a historical perspective and form a balanced, effective and sustainable European security architecture. The two most devastating world wars in human history took place in Europe. We must always remember the lessons that history teaches us. A victory that fails to resolve the conflict in a way that guarantees the fulfillment of the basic demands of both sides will inevitably sow the seeds of a subsequent conflict.

The cover of a recent issue of the Economist featured the headline “Ukraine’s fate will judge Western power in the world,” highlighting how the Ukrainian issue has become a decisive factor for geopolitical position and influence. West in the international system. However, my opinion is different. If Western countries really want to make a further contribution to the future progress of human civilization, then they must play a more active role in solving the common problems facing humanity, such as climate change, the food crisis, terrorism, drug trafficking, etc.

A victory that fails to resolve the conflict in a way that guarantees the fulfillment of the basic demands of both sides will inevitably sow the seeds of a subsequent conflict.

Some countries have always advocated an “international order based on rules”. However, the so-called “rules” are not about international law, but about a powerful cabal of states that impose their will and criteria on others.

China believes that there is only one international system in the world, the core of which is the United Nations. There is only one international order based on international law. Finally, there is a single rule that international relations must be governed by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations. If any “rules” cannot correspond to the historical ethics of the evolution of human civilization, then they will not be able to get rid of the vices of hegemony and power.

Diplomacy

China has never added fuel to the conflict and opposes its instrumentalization aimed at robbery and profit. It is sad that some countries do not seem to care much about whether the Ukrainian people live or die, or about the destruction in Europe, because this situation seems to serve their other “big” strategic interests. At a recent press conference, US President Joe Biden, answering the question “How do we get out of the war,” said that there are two options: sanctions or World War III. Based on this logic that excludes the world, Europe will pay the price by sacrificing its strategic autonomy and the very building of European integration. The “Apple of Eris” is just a trap that serves hidden purposes. However, the eternal aspiration of mankind is the search for the “olive branch”, that is, peace. The world needs diplomacy, not destruction.

* Mr. Xiao Juncheng is the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Greece.