China May Take on Peacekeeping Role in Ukraine, Reports Suggest

China could deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine to help uphold a negotiated ceasefire in its war with Russia—as long as they operate alongside non-NATO nations like India, a former Chinese colonel suggested, according to South China Morning Post (SCMP) on February 17.

In an interview on the sidelines of Munich Security Conference, Zhou Bo, a senior fellow at Tsinghua University’s Centre for International Security and Strategy, stated that China has “sufficient troops and military strength” to support an international post-war effort.

“However, if peacekeeping operations are conducted alongside European countries, Russia might see it as another form of NATO presence, wouldn’t they?” Zhou said.

According to Sun Chenghao, a specialist in EU and US affairs at Tsinghua University, China’s role in the upcoming peace negotiations will likely be limited, given European and Ukrainian demands for robust security guarantees as part of any settlement. “Given this context, what substantial role could China possibly play? China is not in a position to offer much at the current stage,” Sun said.

In contrast, Zhou argued that China could contribute to security guarantees alongside other powers. He recalled Beijing’s involvement in the 1990s, when Ukraine relinquished its nuclear arsenal in exchange for security assurances from all five permanent members of the UN Security Council, including China. “Without collective security guarantees, Ukraine will not feel at ease – what if they [Russia] attack again at any time?” Zhou warned.

Ukrainian officials reportedly have long suspected that China will eventually play a role and have adjusted their rhetoric accordingly, urging EU representatives not to lump Beijing together with Iran and North Korea in terms of support for Russia. Sources say that at the Munich Security Forum, those who met the Chinese delegation noticed a shift in rhetoric regarding Ukraine—a sign that the situation might be changing, according to SCMP.

During his meetings at the Munich conference with Ukrainian and EU ministers, Wang made it clear that Beijing supports Ukraine’s representation—and Europe’s—in peace talks, countering recent doubts raised by US officials.

Similarly, while France has proposed a European deployment situated well behind the front lines, reports indicate that American officials are suggesting a peacekeeping force including non-European countries such as Brazil or China, that would sit along an eventual ceasefire line as a sort of buffer, according to The Economist on February 16.