The international constellation is difficult to keep track of, and global security has always been a highly complex issue. Zhou Hong pays tribute to Egon Bahr, who dedicated his life to "solving almost insoluble problems." Security is an issue that concerns all policy areas and "not something that can be achieved as a single country at the cost of others," says Zhou. -ls

Katrin Rulle

According to Kevin Rudd, an experienced foreign policy expert, China was taken aback when German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced a fundamental readjustment of the nation's security policy following the Russian invasion. Europe was also united and determined in its support of Ukraine. And Putin has not emerged as the winner of the conflict in a matter of days. One factor Beijing "will be bearing in mind is the damage to its European standing, and to its global standing by remaining so closely affiliated with the Russian Federation," he says. -mb

Katrin Rulle

Australia's former prime minister leaves listeners in no doubt that China is not a potential mediator in the Ukraine conflict, in his view. "It would be fanciful to think that China would be neutral on anything," Kevin Rudd says. As recently as February 4, just weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine, China and Russia underscored their close relations with a joint declaration on the architecture of their joint strategic cooperation spanning defence, security, economics and human rights. "This is the longest joint document ever issued by the two states," Rudd emphasized. -mb

Katrin Rulle