Tokyo, 21 March, /AJMEDIA/
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for dialogue to settle the Ukraine crisis in his talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said, as the isolated Russian leader welcomed his “dear friend” in Moscow.
Xi, who began a three-day visit to Russia just days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin over war crimes, told the Russian leader, “A review of history shows that conflicts in the end have to be settled through dialogue and negotiation,” the ministry said Tuesday.
Putin said Russia has “carefully studied” China’s position paper on a political settlement of the Ukraine crisis issued last month and is “open to talks for peace.” He also said Moscow welcomes Beijing playing a constructive role in this regard, the ministry said.
The two leaders met for four and a half hours, including an informal dinner following the talks, according to Russian media.
Xi said most countries “support easing tensions, stand for peace talks and are against adding fuel to the fire” and that China will continue to play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the crisis, the ministry said. But he did not touch on concrete steps.
In the position paper released on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, China opposed the unilateral sanctions on Moscow imposed by Western countries and did not urge Russia to withdraw troops from the neighboring country.
Beijing also showed consideration for Kyiv’s position in the paper, saying, “The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries must be effectively upheld.”
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Monday China’s proposal would not be a “durable solution,” saying it would only enable Putin to refit the Russian military and “then restart the war at a time more advantageous” to his country.
Xi and Putin are scheduled to hold negotiations Tuesday involving ministers and business leaders of the two countries.
They will sign two joint statements — one on strengthening their comprehensive partnership and strategic relations, and the other on a plan to develop key areas of bilateral economic cooperation through 2030, according to Russia’s Tass news agency.
The Wall Street Journal has recently reported that Xi is planning to hold a virtual meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the Chinese leader’s trip to Russia.
