Following talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said China’s proposal could be used as the basis for a peace settlement in Ukraine, however, West and Kyiv were not yet ready.
President Putin accused Western powers of fueling the fire in Ukraine after talks with the Chinese Premier in the Kremlin, which Vladimir Putin said indicated the growing trade, energy, and political ties between Moscow and Beijing.
As an increasingly influential power on the global stage, Xi Jinping reiterated China’s “neutral position” on the Ukraine conflict and called for dialogue to end the devastating war, which has already caused the destruction of cities, energy infrastructures, displacement, death and injury of thousands of people in Ukraine.
In a joint statement issued at the end of Xi’s state visit to Moscow, the two men cautioned against any steps that might push the Ukraine conflict into an “uncontrollable phase”, adding pointedly that there could be no winners in a nuclear war.
“We believe that many of the provisions of the peace plan put forward by China are consonant with Russian approaches and can be taken as the basis for a peaceful settlement when they are ready for that in the West and in Kyiv. However, so far we see no such readiness from their side,” Putin said.
Kyiv has welcomed China’s diplomatic involvement and mediation but emphasizes that Russia should pull its troop out of Ukraine, and respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Meanwhile, the United States does not support the Chinese proposal for a peace settlement in Ukraine due to Beijing’s refusal to condemn Russia over Ukraine. Washington says a ceasefire now would result in Russian territorial gains and give Putin’s army more time to regroup.
During his visit to Moscow, Xi and Putin signed a series of documents on a “strategic cooperation” after what Putin described as successful and constructive talks indicating China was clearly now Russia’s most important economic partner.
China is attempting to improve its image by making friends with other countries. China is attempting to befriend rich countries after destroying poor countries through debt trapping and exploitation. Other countries should exercise caution when dealing with China.