Dmytro Kuleba has arrived in China to discuss Beijing’s possible role in ending the war in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has embarked on his first trip to China since the Russian invasion in 2022. China has served as an economic lifeline for the Kremlin since its invasion began.

China is seen as one of Russia’s major backers in the wake of the 2022 invasion, although Beijing presents itself as a neutral party. Beijing has also put forward its own proposals for a peace initiative that would include Russia at the table.

Kuleba was invited by his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi for talks about “China’s possible role in achieving a stable and just peace,” according to a statement by Ukraine’s foreign ministry. Ukraine is attempting to improve ties with China as US presidential elections and waning Western support raise questions about the longevity of its defensive efforts.

Beijing sat out a summit organized by Kyiv to rally support for a peace blueprint last month because it didn’t include Moscow.

The visit occurs shortly after US President Joe Biden, who’s been leading international efforts to help Ukraine, announced he would not seek reelection.