The United States expressed this Friday its opposition to a ceasefire currently in Ukraine considering that it would “consolidate” the advances that Russia has made on the battlefield.
Joe Biden’s government took this position shortly after it was announced that Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, would meet on Monday, March 20, and Tuesday, March 21, in Moscow.
Ahead of that meeting, John Kirby, one of the White House spokesmen, said Friday that the United States has “deep concerns” about some of the issues that Xi and Putin could discuss.
Specifically, the United States is concerned that Xi will reiterate the Chinese proposal for a ceasefire in the war during his meeting with Putin, something that in Washington’s opinion would only serve for Russia to consolidate the advances it has made on the battlefield. .
“Of course we do not support any request for China to a ceasefire during that meeting in Moscow, because it would only benefit Russia,” Kirby said in a telephone news conference.
According to the spokesman, the war must end in a “just manner” with attention to Ukraine’s priorities and respect for that country’s sovereignty.
In addition, Kirby urged Xi to speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by phone to get his perspective on the conflict and not just Putin’s.
Since the start of the war, China has maintained an ambiguous position: it has evaded criticism of Russia, which it considers its strategic partner; but it has avoided providing military assistance because one of its great principles in foreign policy is respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.
A month ago, the United States accused China of considering sending arms to Russia for the war in Ukrainebut the US authorities assure that Beijing has not yet made a final decision.
The Chinese government, for its part, has rejected these accusations and has accused the US of fueling the “flames of war” by sending military aid to Ukraine.
The Political newspaper, which accessed data from customs authorities, reported yesterday, Thursday, that Chinese companies have sent some thousand assault rifles and other military equipment to Russian entities.
Asked about it, Kirby said the United States has no indication that these weapons are being used in the war in Ukraine.
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