China’s plan and further “principles” made public by President Xi Jinping last month took account of factors behind the conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin said as he backed its proposed plan for a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine crisis.
In an interview published early on Wednesday, Putin said that Russia remained open to dialogue and talks to solve the more than two-year-old conflict. Putin’s visit to Beijing on Thursday is expected to focus less on concrete deals and more on demonstrating support from his most powerful political ally, Chinese President Xi Jinping, as he begins his new presidential term.
Beijing put forward a 12-point paper more than a year ago that set out general principles for ending the war, but did not get into specifics. The plan received a lukewarm reception at the time in both Russia and Ukraine, while the U.S. said China was presenting itself as a peacemaker but reflecting Russia’s “false narrative” and failing to condemn its invasion. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov last month called the proposal a “reasonable plan that the great Chinese civilization proposed for discussion.
This two-day trip, marking Putin’s first official visit of his new term, aims to emphasize the strong “no limits” partnership between Russia and China, despite pressure from the United States regarding Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Furthermore, Putin’s endorsement underscores the evolving dynamics in global diplomacy. The recognition of China’s understanding of the Ukraine conflict highlights the emergence of alternative diplomatic channels. As traditional alliances undergo scrutiny, strategic partnerships like the one between Russia and China gain prominence. This shift signifies a departure from conventional power dynamics, paving the way for innovative approaches to conflict resolution.
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