China's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday said its Eurasia envoy, Li Hui, would visit Russia, Ukraine, and the headquarters of the European Union this week for talks on the two-year-old war between Russia and Ukraine. 

According to the statement made by the ministry, the trip would represent "the second round of shuttle diplomacy on seeking a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis", stressing that Li would also go to France, Germany, and Poland.

China noted that the "most urgent thing at the moment is to restore peace".

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning told a briefing; "In the past two years, we have never given up in our efforts to promote peace and have never stopped promoting talks." 

"Everything we have done leads to one target, which is to build consensus to end the war and pave the way for peace talks.

"We will continue to play our unique role, conduct shuttle diplomacy, build consensus among all parties, and contribute Chinese wisdom to promote a political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis," Mao said.

China and Russia have in recent years ramped up economic cooperation and diplomatic contacts, and their strategic partnership has grown closer since the invasion of Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Li visited the region last year as part of efforts to mediate the conflict, holding talks in Moscow, Kyiv and a host of European capitals.