Negotiate with Ukraine, China’s Xi Jinping urges Russia’s Vladimir Putin
- Two presidents talk on the phone for the first time since Russian forces launched attack on neighbour
- Cold war mindsets should be abandoned and security concerns respected, Xi says
He also said conditions in Ukraine had changed drastically.
“China supports Russia negotiating with Ukraine to resolve the problem,” Xi was quoted as saying.
“China’s basic position on respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and abiding by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter is consistent.”
He said the US and Nato had challenged Russia’s strategic bottom line by advancing deployments.
China walks ‘diplomatic tightrope’ as sanctions on Russia grow
China’s assessment of the crisis is being watched closely, with Beijing in a quasi alliance with Moscow and both nations in an increasingly intense stand-off with Washington.
After the meeting, both nations said they opposed the expansion of Nato, describing it as a cold war approach to international affairs. The two nations said no state should ensure its security “at the expense of the security of other states”.
Over the past days, Beijing has appeared not to endorse Russia’s attack on Ukraine but also has not joined other nations such as the United States in condemning Russia.
On Friday, foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin evaded questions about whether China characterised Russia’s action as an “invasion”.
But he denounced Western sanctions on Russia and called for dialogue to resolve the crisis.
“What are the outcomes of sanctions? ... Since 2011, the US has imposed more than 100 sanctions against Russia. Evidently, imposing sanctions remains inefficient in resolving problems,” Wang said. “It will only severely worsen regional economics.”
Asked if China’s diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis were limited, Wang said the door to peaceful resolution had not been entirely shut.
“China will continue to proceed with our approach in facilitating peaceful dialogue,” Wang said.
03:41
Russians divided on Ukraine invasion as protesters arrested in multiple cities
Moscow defended its operation on Friday, saying it wanted to “denazify” and demilitarise Ukraine.
Ukraine said it was willing to negotiate with Russia, provided there were security guarantees.
Shi Yinhong, an international relations professor at Renmin University, said he expected the attack against Ukraine would soon subside.
“The flash attacks are expected to be temporary until the Ukrainian power and its government are dismantled. I think the next stage is to detach Ukraine from Nato and the endgame will be establishing a pro-Russia administration,” Shi said.
“Ukraine might fall into Russia’s territory one day. Putin’s appetite is huge. Whether it is a direct threat or backing up Ukraine’s separatist forces, the goal is to force other countries in Eastern Europe to cave in to its demands.”
He said that while China did not openly criticise Russia’s invasion, it did not mean China supported its expansion.
“It’s indicative that China still prioritises the strategic, and cultural partnership with Russia, preventing it from open condemnation,” Shi said.
“The strategic partnership means too much to China’s security so there is a cost to bear, including to its international reputation.”
