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Ukraine said it is expecting China to press Russia into ending its war in Ukraine, which has been going on for more than a year. The comments from Kyiv follow news of Chinese President Xi Jinping visiting Russia to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian foreign ministry spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko said on Monday Kyiv was monitoring Xi’s visit to Moscow this week. Nikolenko said Beijing is expected to press Russia into ending the war it has been waging on Ukraine for more than a year. Xi has been expected to paint China as a potential peacemaker in the war after the release of the 12-point peace plan.
Ukraine said any peace efforts must involve a full withdrawal from Ukraine by Russia as well as respecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
“We expect Beijing to use its influence on Moscow to make it put an end to the aggressive war against Ukraine,” said Nikolenko in a statement to Reuters after Xi arrived in Russia.
“We stand ready to engage in a closer dialogue with China in order to restore peace in Ukraine in accordance with the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, and the latest UNGA resolution on this matter,” said Nikolenko.
On the same day, the European Union’s defense and foreign ministers have agreed on a $2.14 billion plan that aims to provide Ukraine with one million artillery shells in the next 12 months, along with replenishing the bloc’s stocks during a meeting in Brussels. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell hailed the “historic decision” during the meeting he presided for the bloc and Norway.
Borrell said he secured the approval for the proposal to provide over $1 billion to encourage the bloc’s members to provide artillery shells from their respective stockpiles and any orders for new rounds that they may have placed with the industry. Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba praised the decision and thanked the bloc.
Kuleba said the “game-changing decision” by the bloc was necessary. This comes as Kyiv has said its forces are resorting to rationing their firepower as the war continues. The German defense ministry said it was ready to increase its output, including the arms and ammunition that Ukraine needs, but it would need clarity about what the governments want before investing in further production.
