Xi poised to play role of peacemaker on visit to Russia

But Beijing will need to offer actionable proposals on ending Ukraine war: Expert

BEIJING Chinese President Xi Jinping heads to Russia on Monday hoping to deliver a breakthrough on Ukraine as China seeks to position itself as a peacemaker.

Freshly reappointed for a third term in power, he is pushing for a greater role for China on the global stage, and was crucial in mediating a surprise rapprochement between Middle Eastern rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia in March.

Rumours that he may soon hold his first call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky since the outbreak of war have raised hopes in Western capitals that Mr Xi may lean on his "old friend", Russian leader Vladimir Putin, to stop his bloody invasion during the threeday state visit.

Announcing the trip last Friday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said China would "play a constructive role in promoting peace talks".

"Stopping the war is everyone's wish, given that Europe stands to lose such a lot and the United States may not be able to support Ukraine for as long as it thinks it can," said Professor Wang Yiwei, director of the Institute of International Affairs at Beijing's Renmin University of China.

"China can put forth its views on both sides - it can say it is a trusted friend of both Ukraine and Russia. I think this is very significant." Beijing, a major Russian ally, has long sought to depict itself as a neutral party to the conflict.