United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has said the world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia supported by China or any other country to freeze the war against Ukraine on its own terms.
Secretary Blinken reacting to Chinese President, Xi jinping who traveled to meet with the President, Vlamidir Putin in Russia, stated that United States expect the China to use this visit to reiterate calls for a ceasefire under its peace proposal.
Last month, China floated a 12-point plan designed to end Russia-Ukraine war, which began on February 24, 2022. Xi arrived in Moscow Monday, for a state visit to meet with Russian leader, with Russia’s war in Ukraine and China’s peace proposal part of the agenda.
The Secretary noted that United States welcomes any initiative that advances a just and durable peace, saying that China’s proposal includes elements US long supported; which is ensuring nuclear safety, resolving the humanitarian crisis and protecting civilians.
“And indeed, the first element calls for upholding sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all countries.
“The fundamental element of any plan for ending the war in Ukraine and producing a just and durable peace must be upholding sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, in accordance with the United Nations Charter.
“Any plan that does not prioritize this critical principle is a stalling tactic at best or is merely seeking to facilitate an unjust outcome. That is not constructive diplomacy”, Secretary Blinken said.
He emphasized that the calling for a ceasefire that does not include the removal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory would effectively be supporting the ratification of Russian conquest.
“It would recognize Russia’s attempts to seize a sovereign neighbor’s territory by force. It would enable Russia to further entrench positions in Ukraine.
“And a ceasefire now, without a durable solution, would allow President Putin to rest and refit his troops and then restart the war at a time more advantageous to Russia”, he added.
According to the Secretary, “The world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia supported by China or any other country – to freeze the war on its own terms.
“Such a move would violate the UN Charter and delay – defy, excuse me – the will of the 141 countries who have condemned Russia’s war in the United Nations General Assembly. One party to this conflict – Ukraine – has already put forward a just peace formula.
“If China is committed to supporting an end to the war based on the principles of the UN Charter as called for in point one of its plan, it can engage with President Zelenskyy and Ukraine on this basis and use its influence to compel Moscow to pull back its forces”, he explained.
US Secretary pointed out that Russia’s purported annexation of sovereign Ukrainian territory, including vast areas and its ongoing, brutal attacks on civilians make clear that President Putin currently has no interest in such a peace.
“That President Xi traveled to Russia days after the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Putin suggests that China feels no responsibility to hold the Kremlin accountable for atrocities committed in Ukraine.
“And instead of even condemning them, it would rather provide diplomatic cover for Russia to continue to commit those very crimes”, Secretary Blinken said.