BRUSSELS. May 15 (Interfax) - The European Union hopes that China will play an important role in a Ukrainian settlement and will have a positive effect on Russia, European Council President Charles Michel said.
"We sincerely hope that China will play a positive role," Michel said at a press conference on Monday in response to a question about a trip by Chinese Foreign Ministry representative Li Hui to Russia, Ukraine and Europe.
Beijing could persuade Moscow to end the hostilities in Ukraine and "to respect the UN Charter," he said.
In turn, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that China could play a positive role thanks to its influence on Russia. She added that Ukraine should be listened to in the first instance regarding questions of a settlement.
"There is a proposal on the table that is the peace formula of [Ukrainian] President [Vladimir] Zelensky. And this is the basis on which we should be working," von der Leyen said.
As reported, beginning on May 15 Li will visit Ukraine, Poland, France, Germany and Russia for talks with all sides on a political resolution to the crisis in Ukraine.
China presented a 12-point settlement plan for Ukraine in March. Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said that the Ukraine crisis could only be resolved through peace talks, with due account given to the concerns of all interested sides.