 "Xi, Putin hold talks on Ukraine war anniversary, back Russia-US dialogue to defuse crisis")
Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone on Monday, coinciding with the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, China’s state media reported.
According to the Kremlin, Putin briefed Xi on recent Russia-U.S. contacts. At the same time, China expressed support for dialogue between Moscow and Washington and offered to assist in seeking a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict.
Beijing and Moscow declared a “no limits” strategic partnership just before Russia’s 2022 invasion. While Xi has met Putin over 40 times in the past decade, China’s refusal to condemn Russia has strained its ties with the West.
Trump is pushing for a quick deal to end the war in Ukraine, alarming Washington’s European allies by leaving them and Ukraine out of initial talks with Russia and blaming Ukraine for Russia’s 2022 invasion, political gifts for Moscow that could also bring strong economic benefits.
China backs peace efforts
President Xi Jinping on Monday hailed Moscow’s “positive efforts to defuse” the Ukraine crisis in a call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, state media said.
Xinhua news agency reported Xi as saying “China is happy to see Russia and relevant parties make positive efforts to defuse” the crisis in Ukraine.
Moscow and Beijing have strengthened military and trade ties since Russia sent troops into Ukraine, though China has sought to depict itself as a neutral party amid the nearly three-year conflict.
Beijing remains a close political and economic partner of Moscow and has never condemned Russia’s actions, leading some NATO members to brand Beijing an “enabler” of the conflict.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsSpeaking of China’s ties with Russia, Xi said “history and reality” show the two countries “are good neighbours that cannot be moved away, and true friends who share weal and woe, support each other and achieve common development”, Xinhua reported.
The state news agency earlier said Xi held a phone call with the Russian leader “upon invitation”.
Both sides have made much of Xi and Putin’s supposedly strong personal bond, with Xi calling the Russian leader his “best friend” and Putin lauding his “reliable partner”.
EU announces €3.5B in aid to Ukraine as Putin pushes for ‘capitulation’
EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Russia’s President Vladimir Putin was set on Ukraine’s “capitulation”, as she announced 3.5 billion euros of fresh aid to Kyiv.
“The war in Ukraine remains the most central and consequential crisis for Europe’s future. Putin is trying harder than ever to win this war on the ground. His goal remains Ukraine’s capitulation,” von der Leyen said at a summit in Kyiv marking the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
‘Spare no effort’ to end war: UN
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that countries must work to bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, calling for a just and lasting peace on the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“We must spare no effort to bring an end to this conflict, and achieve a just and lasting peace in line with the U.N. Charter, international law and General Assembly resolutions,” he told a high-level meeting of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, repeating that Russia’s actions in February 2022 violated the global body’s founding document, the U.N. charter.
Preparations underway for Trump-Putin meeting
Russia is preparing for a face-to-face meeting between President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Saturday, signaling a shift from Western efforts to isolate Moscow over the Ukraine war.
Speaking to Russian state media, Ryabkov indicated that the potential summit could cover broad global issues, not just Ukraine. He emphasized the need to “normalize relations” and address “acute and potentially dangerous situations.”
He noted that talks were in the early stages and would require “intensive preparatory work.” U.S. and Russian envoys may meet within two weeks to lay the groundwork for high-level discussions.
With inputs from agencies
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