China and Brazil jointly proposed a six-point peace plan in May as an alternative to Ukraine’s efforts to initiate peace negotiations and end Russia’s invasion. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky strongly criticized the plan, calling it “destructive.” The timing of the proposal, as well as China and Brazil’s friendly relations with Russia, have raised concerns about their true intentions for Ukraine.
China claims to be a neutral party in the conflict and denies providing lethal aid to either side. However, the US and other Western allies supporting Ukraine accuse China of providing resources to Russia’s war efforts. Additionally, China and Russia have been strengthening their ties, with Russian President Vladimir Putin visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping in May.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has positioned himself as a mediator in the conflict and has repeatedly rejected the idea of arming Ukraine. In January 2023, during a press conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Lula stated that Russia made a mistake by invading Ukraine but refused to condemn the war, which Ukrainian officials describe as genocidal. Months later, Lula suggested that Ukraine should consider giving up Crimea in exchange for peace with Russia.
The six-point peace plan proposed by China and Brazil refers to the conflict as a “crisis” and calls for non-escalation or provocations by either side. It also calls for an international peace conference accepted by both Russia and Ukraine, increased humanitarian assistance, and no attacks on civilians. The plan also emphasizes the need to prevent nuclear proliferation and protect nuclear facilities. It also calls for enhanced international cooperation to protect global industrial and supply chains. However, the plan does not mention Ukraine’s territorial integrity or the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.
China and Brazil proposed this plan in parallel to Ukraine’s ongoing peace efforts, which are based on Zelensky‘s 10-point peace formula. Zelensky’s plan includes a complete withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine, holding those responsible for war crimes accountable, and the release of all prisoners. A major part of Ukraine’s peace efforts was a global peace summit in Switzerland in June, which China did not attend.
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