TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A year into the war between Russia and Ukraine, China has a dozen proposals to end the conflict.
The proposal follows China’s recent announcement. try to act as an intermediary In a war that has revitalized Western alliances that Beijing and Moscow see as rivals. A top Chinese diplomat suggested the plan would be unveiled at a security conference in Munich, Germany, this week.
With its release, President Xi Jinping’s government reiterates China’s claims of neutrality despite thwarting UN efforts to condemn the aggression. The document reflects Russia’s complaint that the West is responsible for the February 24, 2022 invasion, and criticizes sanctions against Russia.
At a meeting in Munich, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken expressed skepticism about Beijing’s position before the plans were announced.He said China has provided non-lethal support to Russian President Vladimir Putin in his war effort, and that the United States has Intelligent Beijing is “considering providing deadly support.” China called the allegations “slanderous” and said it had no evidence.
What did China propose?
China’s proposal calls for a ceasefire and peace talks and an end to Western sanctions against Russia. It states that “concerned countries should stop abusing unilateral sanctions” and “must do their part to mitigate the crisis in Ukraine.”
It does not specify what will happen to Ukraine and the lands taken from it since Russia occupied Crimea in 2014, but says all nations should retain their sovereignty. .
The proposal denounces a “Cold War mentality” that is a denunciation of the US-NATO, US-European military alliance. “Regional security should not be achieved by strengthening or expanding military blocs,” the proposal said. Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded a promise that Ukraine would not join the bloc before the invasion.
Others call for a ceasefire, peace negotiations, protection of prisoners of war, deterring attacks on civilians, keeping nuclear power plants safe, and promoting grain exports.
Will China Help Russia in War with Ukraine?
China has made conflicting statements about its stance. Russia says it was inspired by NATO’s eastward expansion, but maintains its neutrality on the war.
The Russian attack comes after Xi and Putin attended the opening ceremony of last year’s Winter Olympics in Beijing and issued statements that the two governments had an “unbounded” friendship. Since then, China has ignored Western criticism and reaffirmed its promises.
Putin said he expected Xi to visit Russia in the coming months. China has yet to confirm it.
Brinken said Sunday on NBC that China is “trying to make it happen both ways.”
“Publicly, they are a country striving for peace in Ukraine, but privately, as I said, they have been supporting Russia’s war effort in recent months. We have already seen the provision of non-lethal assistance directly linked to agitation.”
Did China provide assistance to Russia?
China’s support for Russia has been largely rhetorical and political. Beijing has helped thwart attempts to denounce Moscow at the UN. There is currently no public evidence that it is supplying Russia with weapons, but the US has said China has already provided non-lethal assistance and may do more. .
At a conference in Munich, Mr. Blinken said the United States had long worried that China would arm Russia. “We have information that worries them that they are considering providing lethal support to Russia,” he said.
Blinken said he had expressed to Chinese envoy Wang Yi, who attended the meeting, that “this is going to be a serious problem.”
NATO chief said Wednesday he saw some signs He warned that China could be ready to provide weapons, aiding violations of international law.
Russian and Chinese militaries have been conducting joint exercises since the invasion. Recently, she has conducted joint exercises with the South African Navy on routes off the South African coast.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov on Monday questioned US concerns.
“I don’t know, because Russia also needs helmets, life jackets, etc. And if China helps them … it won’t be a weapon. It will be like some kind of clothing,” Reznikov said in Kiev. Told.