Beijing will send its negotiator to Ukraine for the first time - previously he received an "Order of Friendship" from Putin

China's Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui will visit Ukraine for the first time since the beginning of Russia's invasion to "promote peace talks."

Source. This was reported by CNN.

During the diplomatic tour, which begins on May 15, the Chinese diplomat will also visit Poland, France, Germany and Russia to discuss options for a political settlement of the so-called "Ukrainian crisis," as China calls Russia's attack on Ukraine.

"The visit of the Chinese representative to the countries concerned is another manifestation of China's commitment to advancing the negotiations, fully demonstrating that China stands firmly on the side of peace," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin.

Li Hui's trip to Ukraine comes after Chinese President Xi Jinping held his first phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky since the beginning of the war in late April.

During this conversation, the Chinese leader promised to send a special representative of Beijing to Kyiv for consultations.

Chinese Special Representative Li Hui served as China's ambassador to Russia for ten years, from 2009 to 2019. Before he resigned, he published an article in the TASS news agency in which he said that his years in Russia were the most important in his diplomatic career. Russian dictator Putin awarded Li Hui with the Order of Friendship.

Background. Earlier it was reported that the United States called on China to "put pressure on Russia" to end the war.