Ending the conflict in Ukraine demands real security guarantees

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent expression of readiness to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict has injected a note of pragmatism in Europe. Following his remarks, European leaders issued a joint statement supporting United States President Donald Trump's call for an immediate ceasefire — a stance that signals growing fatigue among major Western countries over a conflict that has dragged on for more than three years.

The fact that Washington's latest diplomatic push comes at a time several European governments are mulling the use of frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine's reconstruction underscores the tension between rhetoric and reality. But while an immediate ceasefire is indeed a rational step, a genuine settlement of the crisis requires addressing its root causes and both conflicting parties' long-term security concerns.

Earlier, the US president was expected to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest, Hungary, but it was shelved after Trump reportedly said he did not want a "wasted meeting". It shows that fundamental political and strategic differences still prevent parties from sitting at the same table.

The Ukraine crisis has inflicted enormous suffering on civilians, disrupted global food and energy markets and drained resources. The stalemate on the battlefield has made it clear that no side can secure an outright military victory in the foreseeable future. China has repeatedly pointed out how history is witness to the fact that dialogue and negotiation are the right way to resolve conflicts.

Beijing's pro-peace position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent. It calls for respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, adherence to the UN Charter, and the establishment of a balanced, effective and sustainable European security framework. Its 12-point peace proposal released in February 2023 emphasized that all parties must create the necessary conditions for direct dialogue, avoid escalation, and work toward a comprehensive political solution.

The renewed ceasefire efforts offer a window of opportunity, but turning it into lasting peace requires addressing two core issues: territory and security. Both Russia and Ukraine must arrive at a pragmatic arrangement that ensures stability and prevents future disputes from arising while Russia's opposition to NATO's eastward expansion and Ukraine's need for guarantees against renewed hostilities must be accommodated in a way that neither side feels threatened.

China believes that true peace cannot be imposed by external powers or shaped by geopolitical competition. Efforts to unilaterally seize frozen assets or use them as political leverage risk further complicating an already fragile situation.

Europe, more than any other region, stands to gain the most from a ceasefire and lose the most without one. The prolonged conflict has strained its economies, fueled inflation and deepened divisions within the European Union over how to balance solidarity with Ukraine and the EU's interests. For Washington, the conflict has also become a test of its global influence and its ability to rally allies around a costly and protracted engagement.

For the international community, now is the time to move beyond the logic of confrontation and embrace the logic of peace. China stands ready to work with all peace-loving parties to support any initiative conducive to meaningful dialogue and reconciliation. The goal should not be merely a ceasefire, but durable security in Europe and stability in the world.

Ending the conflict in Ukraine is as much about rebuilding trust, addressing legitimate security concerns and ensuring that the lessons of this conflict lead to a more just and inclusive international order — one built on cooperation, not confrontation.