China seeks a role in Ukraine's post-war reconstruction
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The country would help 'in accordance with the wishes of the parties', Li Ming, a spokesman for the China International Development Cooperation Agency, also known as China Aid, told reporters.
'China is willing to continue to provide assistance to the best of our ability, which also includes participation in the future reconstruction of Ukraine,' Li added.
Li was responding to a question about remarks last month by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the three-year anniversary of Russia's invasion that China 'could help' in restoring peace and reconstruction.
Talks about the post-war arrangements have increased as US President Donald Trump pushes for an end to the war. Trump is expected to
speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin by telephone on Tuesday to discuss a 30-day ceasefire, after reaching an agreement with Ukraine last week.
03:21
'This is not a celebration': Ukraine marks third anniversary of Russian invasion
'This is not a celebration': Ukraine marks third anniversary of Russian invasion
The total cost of recovery and reconstruction in Ukraine over the next decade is estimated at US$524 billion; Kyiv, with the support of international partners and the private sector, has so far paid out US$13 billion in recovery needs, according to a joint report by the Ukrainian government, the World Bank Group, the European Commission and the United Nations.
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While not explicitly stated, both served during a period when the US was providing tens of billions in aid to Ukraine – funding military assistance, government salaries, soldiers' pensions and reconstruction efforts. While the Endgame study received little attention or interest in the United States, it was reportedly taken very seriously by Ukraine's leadership. The 'scenarios' outlined in the study were discussed in a recent interview with Kiril Budanov, head of Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR) under the Ministry of Defense. Budanov is regarded as one of the toughest and smartest operators in Ukraine, and his organization has reputedly carried out assassinations and bombings in Russia and elsewhere. The study 'predicted' that some sort of deal between Ukraine and Russia would be done by the end of Q2 (end of June 2025). That prediction was, of course, wrong. 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One version of the South Korea outcome is that the US$300 billion in Russian frozen assets would be used for reconstruction in Ukraine. The deal resembles South Korea because the US and others serve as a tripwire for North Korea and because the South Korean economy is booming. The South Korea outcome is unlikely to be acceptable to Russia because it would keep NATO-like forces in Ukraine. It would also take Russian assets and use them to compensate Ukraine, something Russia will not accept. It also leaves the actual territorial issue unsettled and unsolved, meaning that Ukraine would not be compelled to accept the loss of territory to Russia. The scenario says nothing about Western sanctions. Finally, the war could restart on any day and would quickly become a war in Europe, not just Ukraine. 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