Ukrainian forces fire a 122mm howitzer D-30 towards Russian positions in the Kherson region, Tuesday, June 13, 2023 (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

The Chinese Ambassador to Russia, Zhang Hanhui, highlighted the importance of building an effective and sustainable European security system in an interview with Sputnik.

The diplomat underlined the complexity of the causes and the history of the Ukrainian crisis which makes a remedy for the issue difficult to achieve.

Zhang said to Sputnik, "In essence, this is an explosion of contradiction in the field of security management in Europe."

A solution to the Ukrainian crisis comes after identifying the "root problem" of European security and building a balanced, effective, and sustainable system that "will provide Europe with long-term stability," according to Zhang.

In its continuous attempts to find a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Ukraine, the Chinese government sent its Special Representative on Eurasian Affairs Li Hui to multiple European countries including Ukraine, Poland, France, and Germany, in addition to the EU headquarters, and Russia.

The official conducted detailed consultations with all concerned parties from May 15 to May 28.

A report by The Wall Street Journal, published in late May, revealed that Li Hui consistently urged his European counterparts to make independent and well-considered decisions, free from the influence of the US. During his tour, he emphasized the importance of an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and advocated for the recognition of Russian sovereignty over the former Ukrainian territories.

In February, China released a 12-point document entitled "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis," which underscores respect for the sovereignty of all countries, the cessation of hostilities, and the resumption of peace talks between Moscow and Kiev. Russian President Vladimir Putin said that some of the provisions of the plan could be a basis for a peace settlement "if the West and Kiev are ready for it."

On May 18, after a meeting was concluded between Hui and Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that Kuleba "emphasized that Ukraine does not accept any proposals that would involve the loss of its territories or the freezing of the conflict."

A statement that has been reportedly echoed by European officials who met with Li during his tour.