In order to discuss Beijing’s suggestions for ending the conflict in Ukraine, Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to reports.
He stated that the idea showed that China was active in the pursuit of peace on the first anniversary of Russia’s complete invasion.
He remarked, “I truly want to think that China won’t give Russia weapons.
Peace negotiations and adherence to national sovereignty are encouraged by China’s agenda.
The 12-point plan does not, however, clearly state that Russia must remove its soldiers from Ukraine. It also opposes the use of “unilateral sanctions,” which is interpreted as an indirect jab at Ukraine’s Western supporters.
Zelensky requested a summit with Mr. Xi, but the Chinese government has yet to formally react.
Russia, meanwhile, praised the Chinese peace proposals. The foreign ministry in Moscow issued a statement saying, “We support Beijing’s views.”
Beijing vehemently refutes the assertion made by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier this week that It was considering giving Moscow arms and ammunition. The Chinese government was reportedly considering sending drones and artillery shells to Moscow, according to news outlets in the United States on Friday.
Although it would prefer to find a way to save Russian President Vladimir Putin by putting together some sort of face-saving peace solution, China appears to be siding with Russia, according to the BBC’s Global Affairs Editor John Simpson.
The Chinese recommendations come in response to Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s trip to Moscow, where on Wednesday he met with President Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.
Beijing was prepared to “deepen political trust” and “strengthen strategic coordination” with Moscow, according to Mr. Wang, who was quoted by China’s official Xinhua news agency after the discussions.
Why China went on a charm offensive in relation to Ukraine
The most recent suggestions were met with muted enthusiasm by Western authorities. Because Beijing “could not condemn the illegal invasion of Ukraine,” according to Nato commander Jens Stoltenberg, Beijing “doesn’t have much credibility.”
On February 24, 2022, President Putin began the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and over the first several days, Russian troops gained substantial gains in the country’s north, east, and south.
Nevertheless, the assault on Kyiv, the country’s capital, was quickly repelled, and the Ukrainian military was able to later regain a significant portion of the territory.
The largest conflict in Europe since World War Two has since devolved into a grueling war of attrition.
Zelensky added that triumph “will definitely await us” if allies “follow their pledges and timelines” during a lengthy news conference on Friday in Kyiv.
Four Leopard II tanks produced in Germany have already been delivered by Poland to Ukraine, and more are on the way. Germany has announced that it will send 14 Leopard tanks, while Spain and Canada will also send tanks.
The US, which is by far the largest contributor of military assistance to Ukraine, has committed to provide 31 M1 Abrams tanks, and the UK is sending 14 Challenger 2 tanks.
As a result of several countries on those continents voting with their abstentions during a UN General Assembly vote on a resolution denouncing Russia’s invasion, the Ukrainian leader stated that his nation had failed to interact with such nations properly.
He stated, “I think it’s a tremendous mistake that we didn’t work well for many years, that we didn’t pay attention.
When asked to choose his worst moment of the conflict thus far, Mr. Zelensky mentioned Bucha, a village outside of Kiev where it is alleged that Russian troops massacred people during the early stages of the conflict. Before Ukrainian forces fought back to retake the little town last April, it was under Russian control.
“my observation. That was awful “Visibly moved, Mr. Zelensky remarked.
What Putin’s conflict in Ukraine has to do with his future
With Russia’s arrival, China’s pretense of being neutral in war recedes.
A new set of sanctions on Russia as well as new help for Ukraine were announced by the US to commemorate one year since Moscow invaded Ukraine.
The most recent restrictions target more than 100 organizations, including banks and suppliers of defense supplies, both domestically and abroad. In order to prevent Russia from obtaining materials that are subject to sanctions, the US claimed it sought to stop those who were assisting them.
The latest round of U.S. aid to Ukraine is worth $12 billion (£10 billion), of which $2 billion will come from the Department of Defense (which includes ammunition and drones) and $10 billion will come from the State Department (which includes budgetary support for the Ukrainian government).
Both the neighboring country of Moldova and Ukraine would receive an additional $550 million to improve their energy infrastructure.
The war has had a significant impact on Moldova, the poorest nation in all of Europe. Its leaders have been announcing for a few weeks that Russia is attempting to grab control.
Days prior, US Vice President Joseph Biden made a surprise trip to Kyiv and met with Mr. Zelensky.
The EU also agreed penalties against Russia on Friday, including limitations on dual-use technology for both military and civilian purposes.