Talks only way to end Russia-Ukraine conflict: China Daily editorial

As expected, the second round of direct talks in Turkiye between Russia and Ukraine failed to make any breakthrough on Monday for a ceasefire of any kind.

Given the fact that even those involved in the talks know well that the current talks will hardly achieve anything near to even a partial truce in the ongoing fighting between the armed forces of the two countries at the front line, the mere act of dialogue itself represents a step forward worthy of global attention.

The two sides did agree to exchange all sick and heavily wounded prisoners of war, as well as those aged below 25, and committed to returning the bodies of 12,000 soldiers. This humanitarian gesture, though limited, could create momentum for broader discussions on ending a conflict that has persisted for over three years.

With Ukraine's counteroffensive progressing incrementally and Russia consolidating defensive lines, the coming months may determine whether diplomatic channels gain urgency or further recede.

For the European Union, which staunchly backs Ukraine, and the United States administration which is eager to broker an end to the conflict through concessions, this underscores a harsh reality: bridging the chasm between Moscow's and Kyiv's irreconcilable demands remains a distant prospect. Yet urgency grows daily for even a temporary ceasefire to halt the mounting human and economic toll.

US President Donald Trump has been pushing for a permanent settlement to the conflict since he took office in January without achieving any substantial headway.

The roots of this conflict are deeply intertwined with historical, geopolitical and security complexities, compounded by external involvement. The US and the EU must act responsibly by prioritizing mediation over escalation. Washington, as a major power, should leverage its influence not to fuel confrontation but to bridge divides and advance a political settlement.

Also, the leaders of both Russia and Ukraine should be clear that neither side will win this war of attrition, and a permanent settlement to the conflict can only be achieved through talks.

China has long maintained that the differences between Russia and Ukraine should be settled through dialogue. Beijing has time and again urged all parties concerned to do whatever they can to bring the two belligerents to the negotiating table to discuss a permanent settlement to the conflict.

As neither a party to nor instigator of the conflict, China has actively engaged in diplomatic mediation, including spearheading the "Friends of Peace" with Brazil and other Global South nations.

China's four-point proposal — emphasizing respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, adherence to the United Nations Charter, consideration of legitimate security concerns, and supporting peace-building efforts — has garnered broad support and is now an international consensus.

All parties should reject any Cold War thinking, cease their geopolitical maneuvering, and focus on realizing a ceasefire, humanitarian relief and reconstruction.

It is unrealistic for differences, let alone territorial disputes, between the two countries to be settled in just a few rounds of talks.

What can make a difference may be the efforts and wisdom of the decision-makers of both countries as well as other parties involved to find a way for the differences to be shelved for a permanent ceasefire.

A phased approach — starting with a ceasefire and progressing to shared security guarantees — offers a pragmatic path. Temporary measures to "shelve differences" could halt the bloodshed and create space for incremental progress.

China stands ready to partner with the international community to facilitate negotiations.

The priority now is to stop the killings. If global stakeholders unite behind this imperative, a just and durable peace — one upholding the common security of all nations — remains achievable.