Timely effort

It’s the need of the hour for the world to cooperate with each other to bring about peace in Ukraine. The initiative taken by China and France to be the partners in peace efforts to bring Russia and Ukraine war to an end is highly appreciable (“France, China agree to work for Ukraine peace,” Feb.17, Gulf today website).

According to the report, French President Emmanuel Macron and China’s top diplomat Wang Yi agreed on Wednesday to contribute “towards peace” in Ukraine, Macron’s office said following talks between the two men. Macron has not hidden his hope that Beijing, which remains an important ally of Moscow and has not condemned the invasion of Ukraine launched nearly a year ago, will pressure Russia to return to the negotiating table.

In Paris on Wednesday, Macron and Wang discussed the war and its “consequences on the most vulnerable countries, particularly in terms of food security and financing capacity.”

The world is going through disastrous consequences due to a year-long war between Russia and Ukraine. The war has only produced loss of lives, destruction, economic meltdown, hike in oil and gas prices and created enemies in the world.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. There is nothing to achieve in the world. Negotiations for a peaceful solution to any conflict is the only way forward.  There is no doubt that China can play a huge role bringing about peace in Ukraine using its solid relationship with both Russia and Ukraine.  The world is going through its toughest time. There is a huge hike in oil and gas prices, Ukraine was the world’s seventh-largest producer of wheat in 2021/22 with 33 million tonnes. The export of commodities to the world has been badly affected because of the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. I hope the sense of peace will prevail and Russia and Ukraine solve their outstanding issues through peaceful dialogue.

Junaid Asghar,
By email