China's Envoy Highlights 'Significant Gap' in Kyiv-Moscow Peace Talks

China's envoy says 'significant gap' between Kyiv and Moscow on peace talks China's special envoy for Ukraine, Li Hui, has highlighted the continued "significant gap" between Moscow and Kyiv in their peace talks to resolve the ongoing conflict. Despite the disparity in positions, both sides have acknowledged that diplomacy is the preferable method to end the more than two-year-long war. Li Hui, who has been actively engaged in mediating the conflict, shared insights following his recent European tour, which included visits to Russia, Ukraine, France, Germany, and Poland. He emphasized that while there is a recognition of the necessity for negotiations over military actions, the distance between the two parties still remains substantial. The envoy underscored that all parties involved in the conflict understand the urgency of halting the deterioration of the situation. Li expressed China's commitment to playing a constructive role in facilitating dialogue and easing tensions. China's stance of neutrality in the conflict has faced criticism due to its deepening ties with Russia, especially following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by President Vladimir Putin earlier this year. Despite the scrutiny, Beijing has put forth its own 12-point plan for a political settlement and has continued efforts to engage in peace discussions. While Kyiv has shown optimism about China's potential involvement in a peace conference it plans to host in Switzerland, Moscow has expressed skepticism regarding the event's success without its participation. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's 10-point peace proposal emphasizes the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory and the restoration of the country's territorial integrity. As Moscow maintains control over a significant portion of Ukrainian land, tensions persist with ongoing military operations and recent missile attacks on Kyiv. Li reiterated China's willingness to support de-escalation efforts and negotiations, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The diplomatic efforts and statements from Li Hui reflect the complex dynamics at play in the conflict between Kyiv and Moscow, underscoring the challenges and the continued importance of international engagement to seek a lasting and peaceful solution.