Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday, after talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, that the Chinese proposals could be used as the basis for a peace deal in Ukraine, but that the West and Kiev had yet to they are not ready for that.
In a joint statement issued at the end of Xi’s state visit to Moscow, the two leaders warned against any measures that could push the Ukrainian conflict into an “uncontrollable phase”, adding emphatically that there can be no winners in a nuclear war.
Putin accused Western powers of fighting “to the last Ukrainian”, while Xi reiterated China’s “neutral position” towards Ukraine and called for dialogue.
“We believe that many of the provisions of the peace plan presented by China are in line with Russian approaches and can be taken as the basis for a peaceful settlement when they are ready for it in the West and in Kiev. However, so far we do not see such readiness on their part,” Putin said.
China’s proposal – a 12-point document calling for de-escalation and an eventual ceasefire in Ukraine – lacks details on how to end the war.
The United States has rejected the Chinese proposal, given Beijing’s refusal to condemn Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, and says a ceasefire now would secure Russian territorial gains and give Putin’s army more time to regroup.
Kiev welcomed China’s diplomatic engagement but says Russia must withdraw its troops from Ukraine and stresses the importance of the country’s territorial integrity.
The Kremlin talks are aimed at cementing the “no boundaries” partnership that the two leaders announced in February last year, less than three weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine.
The two signed a series of documents on “strategic cooperation” after what Putin described as “successful and constructive” talks, showing that China is now clearly Russia’s most important economic partner.
“I am convinced that our multifaceted cooperation will continue to develop for the good of the peoples of our countries,” Putin said in televised remarks.
Xi’s state visit is a major boost for Putin as he faces what he sees as a hostile West bent on inflicting a “strategic defeat” on Russia.
The Chinese leader visited Moscow days after an international court issued an arrest warrant against Putin over Russia’s actions in Ukraine, where Russian forces have made little progress in recent months despite suffering heavy losses.
Source: CNN Brasil
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