Despite Beijing’s Iran-Saudi Arabia dealmaking, Russia says 'no prospect' of Chinese mediation on Ukraine

Moscow has ruled out the possibility of Chinese mediation between Russia and Ukraine, despite Beijing's success in brokering diplomatic reconciliation between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

"Undoubtedly, China has a very effective and commanding potential for mediation," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters Thursday.

"But the situation with Ukraine is complex, so far there are no prospects for a political settlement," he said. 

Peskov’s comments followed a plea from French President Emmanuel Macron to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping for Beijing to "bring Russia back to its senses" over its onslaught on Ukraine.

China last month brokered a surprise deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia, who have long been at loggerheads. With the deal, Riyadh and Tehran have restored their diplomatic relations.

Meeting in Beijing on Thursday, the foreign ministers from the two Middle Eastern countries pledged to work together to bring "security and stability" to the region.

Though Beijing maintains good relations with Russia, it has officially stayed neutral on Moscow’s war on Ukraine, which began in February 2022.

The US has accused Beijing of mulling arms exports to Moscow – claims China has vociferously denied.

Russia is show no sign of let-up in its military campaign in Ukraine as it pushes to seize the eastern city of Bakhmut outright.

More than 8,000 civilians have died in Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion.