Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed strong support for China’s plan to achieve a peaceful settlement in Ukraine, acknowledging Beijing’s comprehensive understanding of the conflict’s origins. In an interview with China’s Xinhua news agency, published early Wednesday, Putin highlighted Russia’s openness to dialogue and negotiations aimed at resolving the more than two-year-long war.
Understanding the Root Causes
Putin praised China’s approach, stating that it truly comprehends the underlying causes and global geopolitical implications of the conflict. “We are positive in our assessment of China’s approach to solving the Ukrainian crisis,” Putin said, according to a Kremlin transcript. He emphasized that the principles outlined by Chinese President Xi Jinping, during discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, are “realistic and constructive steps” aimed at overcoming outdated cold war mentalities.
China’s 12-Point Plan
China introduced a 12-point paper over a year ago, which set out broad principles for ending the war without delving into specifics. Initially, the proposal received a lukewarm response from both Russia and Ukraine, with the U.S. criticizing China for allegedly reflecting Russia’s narrative without condemning the invasion. However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently described the proposal as a “reasonable plan” put forth by China’s ancient civilization for discussion.
Xi’s Additional Principles
Xi Jinping’s additional principles advocate for cooling down the situation, establishing conditions for peace and stability, and minimizing the conflict’s impact on the global economy. These principles were outlined during Xi’s discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and are seen as an extension of China’s earlier 12-point plan.
Russia’s Perspective
Russia views the conflict as a struggle against the “collective West,” accusing it of ignoring Moscow’s security concerns by expanding NATO eastwards and increasing military activities near Russian borders. Russia characterizes its actions in Ukraine as a “special operation” to disarm the country and protect it from fascists, a claim that Ukraine and the West dismiss as baseless, labeling the invasion an unprovoked act of aggression.
China’s Neutral Stance
Despite proclaiming a “no limits” relationship with Russia just days before the invasion in February 2022, China has refrained from providing weapons and ammunition to Russia’s war effort. Instead, China has maintained a neutral stance, attending some preparatory talks for a peace summit scheduled in Switzerland this June. Ukraine has been actively persuading China to participate in the summit.
Ukraine’s Peace Plan
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s peace plan demands the withdrawal of Russian troops, the restoration of Ukraine’s 1991 post-Soviet borders, and accountability for Russia’s actions. However, Russia dismisses these demands as unrealistic and insists that any peace talks must consider the “new realities” on the ground.
Future Prospects
As tensions remain high, the international community continues to monitor developments closely. The upcoming peace summit in Switzerland represents a critical opportunity for dialogue, though Russia’s non-invitation and its skepticism about the summit’s effectiveness underscore the complexities of achieving a peaceful resolution.
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Written By Joe Brens