The context isn't great, but it could become even more disadvantageous. Ukraine cannot ignore the possibility of Donald Trump's victory in the American presidential election in November, when he promises to bring the conflict to a swift end, under conditions that are certainly unfavorable to Kyiv. It is therefore stepping up diplomatic contacts, without yet giving up on the substance.

From July 24 to 26, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba visited China for the first time since Russia invaded his country. Although Beijing claims to be neutral on the surface, it is a major trading partner and political friend of Russia, a closeness that is growing stronger all the time. As a result, there can be no real pressure on Moscow without going through China, which finds itself at the center.

"I am convinced that a just peace in Ukraine is in China's strategic interests, and China's role as a global force for peace is important," Kuleba said with attempted conviction, meeting his Chinese counterpart, the seasoned Wang Yi, on Wednesday in Guangzhou, in China's southeast.

The Ukrainian foreign minister made it clear that his country would only negotiate with Russia when it was prepared to negotiate in "good faith," while noting that "currently such readiness has not been observed on the Russian side." Wang pointed out that Ukraine and Russia had recently "sent signals of willingness to negotiate to varying degrees" but also said that the time was "not yet ripe" for peace talks.

This visit comes a week after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on July 15 that he would welcome the presence of "Russian representatives" at a future peace summit that Kyiv would like to see organized later this year – a change in Kyiv's position. Russia was not invited to a summit organized by Switzerland in June, an argument used by China to justify its own absence. At the time, President Zelensky condemned the fact that "such a big, independent, powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of Putin."

This sequence is finished. "This is the first visit of a Ukrainian official at this level in many years. And this is good. There is a clear signal that China supports Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. It was also confirmed what Chinese leader Xi Jinping told me – that China will not supply weapons to Russia. I expect a detailed report from the minister upon his return to Ukraine," said the Ukrainian president on Wednesday, even though the Chinese-Russian relationship is stronger than ever. Witness Tuesday's Chinese-Russian energy forum in Moscow, with messages of friendship from the presidents, and Wednesday's arrival of a Chinese destroyer in Saint Petersburg, Russia, heralded by Chinese state television.

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