Norway urges China to help bring Russia to Ukraine peace talks

OSLO — Norway on Monday called on China to use its close ties with Russia to help advance negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine, saying Beijing's relationship with Moscow remains a key factor in its ties with Europe.

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said China has the strongest direct access to the Russian leadership and urged Beijing to use its influence to support a negotiated settlement. He made the remarks after meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Oslo, where Ukraine was the main topic of discussion.

Stoere said Europe sees potential for stronger cooperation with China, but added that Beijing's close partnership with Russia continues to limit those opportunities while the war persists.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide also described discussions with China on ending the conflict as "constructive and promising," though he declined to say whether Beijing had committed to encouraging Russia to enter negotiations.

Norwegian officials said peace talks should begin without preconditions, starting with a ceasefire based on the current front line in Ukraine. Stoere acknowledged that such an approach would already represent a significant concession by Ukraine because it involves territory within its internationally recognized borders.

Wang visited Norway after stops in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. A Chinese government statement on the meeting focused on expanding cooperation in trade and green technology, without mentioning Russia or the war in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that a resolution to the conflict is "getting closer than people realize" and that Ukraine will be among the topics discussed during talks at this week's NATO summit in Turkey. -Reporting by Nerijus Adomaitis; Additional reporting by Joe Cash in Beijing; Editing by Deepa Babington and Stephen Coates/Reuters