In an effort to pursue a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict with Russia, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba held talks with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing. This marked the first time Ukraine reached out to China as a mediator since Russia's invasion in February 2022.

During the discussions, Kuleba emphasized Ukraine's readiness to engage in negotiations when Russia shows genuine willingness. However, he expressed concerns over the lack of readiness observed on the Russian side. Russian President Vladimir Putin has set preconditions for ceasefire and talks, including Ukraine surrendering four occupied regions, pledging not to join NATO, and reducing its armed forces.

In its pursuit of favorable international conditions for direct talks with Russia, Ukraine convened a conference in Switzerland last month, joined by over 80 countries. These nations rallied behind Ukraine, calling for Russia to respect its sovereignty and territorial integrity as a basis for peace negotiations. Ukraine also plans to hold a second peace conference this year and is submitting positions on food security, energy, and POW exchanges for a vote to the UN General Assembly.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine revealed plans for a meeting with former US President Donald Trump, who is seeking re-election. Zelenskyy expressed a desire to discuss potential steps towards a fair and lasting peace. Notably, Trump has been opposed to providing military aid to Ukraine.

The fatigue among Ukraine's allies is evident, with the US Congress delaying a $60 billion military aid package due to political disagreements. Europe also faced opposition from member states, including Hungary, before approving a 50-billion-euro military aid agreement. Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban recently visited Beijing, further straining relations with Ukraine.

Tensions escalated between Kyiv and Budapest on Monday, as Ukraine shut down the Druzhba pipeline, which carries Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. Hungary retaliated by freezing transfers from the European Defense Fund, affecting payouts to countries like Poland. These developments highlight the strained relationship between Ukraine and its neighbors.

While Ukraine has managed to hold the frontline against Russian forces, the disparity in equipment and troop numbers remains a concern. The Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that Russia has 520,000 soldiers on the ground, with plans to increase to 690,000 by year-end. Russia continues to enjoy a two-to-one or three-to-one advantage in terms of equipment.

President Zelenskyy, acknowledging the difficulty of achieving its war aims through military means, stressed the importance of diplomacy. Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine does not need to regain all its territories by force. The Kremlin cautiously welcomed Ukraine's openness to dialogue, while Hungary's response remains uncertain.

As Ukraine strives for a diplomatic solution, it continues to face challenges and attempted attacks from Russia. Ukrainian drones disrupted a Russian coastguard exercise in Crimea, damaging an ammunition warehouse and firing positions. However, Russia claimed to have thwarted further attacks on Crimea, downing missiles and drones.

Ukraine's plea to its Western allies includes a request to target Russian airfields used to launch bombing sorties. Nevertheless, some restrictions are in place to prevent direct NATO-Russia escalation.

As Ukraine's diplomatic efforts intensify, the path to a peaceful resolution remains uncertain. Yet, amidst the ongoing conflict, Ukraine stands committed to finding a solution and preserving its sovereignty and territorial integrity.