Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere urged China to use its ties with Russia to help bring about a negotiated settlement to the war in Ukraine. Stoere made the comments after meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Oslo.
Stoere stated that China is probably the country with the best and most direct access to the Russian leadership, and he hopes China will use that channel to help bring about peace. The Norwegian Prime Minister also noted that there is potential for deeper cooperation between Europe and China, but the ongoing war in Ukraine is a limitation on that opportunity.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide described the dialogue with China on ending the war as ‘constructive and promising.’ However, Eide did not provide further details on whether China had indicated it would help bring Russia to the negotiating table.
The Norwegian officials emphasized that negotiations should begin without conditions, starting with a ceasefire based on the current front line in Ukraine. This would be a major concession from Ukraine’s side, as it would involve ceding control of territory currently occupied by Russian forces.
US President Donald Trump also commented on the situation, stating that a resolution to the war in Ukraine is ‘getting closer than people realize.’ Trump plans to discuss the issue during talks in Turkey at a NATO summit.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
