UPDATE - Ukrainian top diplomat to visit China for high-stakes talks

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM UKRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

By Riyaz ul Khaliq and Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba will pay a four-day official visit to China, Beijing announced on Monday.

Kuleba will begin his visit on Tuesday at the invitation of China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, according to an official statement.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry confirmed Kuleba's visit to China later in the day, saying in a statement that the two parties will exchange views on the current state of bilateral relations and prospects for developing them.

The main topic of discussion will be the search for ways to stop the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, as well as China's "possible role in achieving a stable and just peace," it added.

While Beijing has called for respect for the territorial integrity of all nations, it has not condemned Moscow for its war on Kyiv.

Instead, China, in collaboration with Brazil, has proposed a three-point de-escalation formula to bring a political solution to the Russia-Ukraine war.

The formula includes no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no provocation by any party.