Norway Calls on China to Push Russia Toward Ukraine Peace Talks Now

Norway has called on China to use its close relationship with Russia to help bring Moscow back to the negotiating table and support efforts to end the Ukraine war.

The appeal came during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Oslo, where Norwegian leaders said China is one of the few countries with enough influence to encourage meaningful peace talks.

The request highlights Europe's growing efforts to involve Beijing in finding a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

Although China says it remains neutral and supports dialogue, Western countries believe its strong ties with Russia give it an important role in shaping any future peace process.

• Norway urges China to help restart Russia-Ukraine peace talks
• Norway seeks China's influence to advance Ukraine peace negotiations
• Wang Yi's Oslo visit focuses on diplomacy and ending Ukraine war

Norway Seeks China's Support

After meeting Wang Yi, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said China is in a unique position to encourage Russia to engage in serious negotiations. He noted that Beijing's close relationship with Moscow gives it an opportunity to help reduce tensions and move the conflict toward a peaceful resolution.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide described the talks with the Chinese delegation as positive and said both sides exchanged views on how China could contribute to future peace efforts. He added that the war in Ukraine continues to affect relations between Europe and China, making dialogue on the issue increasingly important.

Støre said peace talks should begin without setting difficult conditions at the outset. He suggested that an initial ceasefire based on the current battlefield situation could create room for broader negotiations later. While acknowledging that such an approach would require compromises from all sides, he stressed that stopping the violence should be the immediate goal.

China Keeps Its Neutral Stand

China has consistently said it supports peace negotiations and believes dialogue is the only way to end the conflict. At the same time, Beijing has avoided criticizing Russia or openly supporting Western peace proposals, choosing instead to maintain strong diplomatic relations and economic ties with Moscow while describing its position as neutral.

China's official statement after Wang Yi's visit to Norway did not mention Ukraine or Russia. Instead, it focused on expanding cooperation with Norway in areas such as trade, green development and international cooperation, reflecting Beijing's broader diplomatic agenda.

The renewed appeal comes as fighting continues across Ukraine, with recent missile and drone attacks highlighting the urgent need for fresh diplomatic efforts. Despite several international initiatives, there has been little progress toward a lasting ceasefire or formal peace negotiations.

U.S. President Donald Trump recently said the conflict would remain a key topic at the upcoming NATO summit in Turkey, raising expectations that world leaders may explore new diplomatic options. However, no concrete peace framework has been announced so far.

Political observers say Norway's appeal reflects a growing belief that China could play a more influential role if it chooses to actively encourage dialogue between Russia and Ukraine. Whether Beijing decides to take on that role remains uncertain, but its relationship with Moscow continues to make it an important player in global diplomacy.

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As the war enters another challenging phase, Norway hopes China's influence can help create the conditions needed for meaningful negotiations. While a breakthrough may not come immediately, the latest discussions show that diplomatic efforts remain active alongside developments on the battlefield.