Xi and Putin Bind China and Russia’s Economies Further, Despite War in Ukraine

Instead, the joint statement issued by Mr. Xi and Mr. Putin suggested that Western powers were an obstacle to peace by forming security blocs.

“Russia reaffirmed that it was committed to restarting peace talks as soon as possible, and China expressed its approval,” said the excerpt from the joint statement that was issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. “Settlement of the Ukraine crisis must respect the reasonable security concerns of every country and prevent the formation of confrontational blocs that add fuel to the flames.”

The White House made a sharp rebuttal to the joint statement, accusing China of parroting Russian propaganda and saying Beijing could do far more if it truly wanted to broker peace.

“If China wants to play a constructive role in this conflict, then it ought to press Russia to pull troops out of Ukraine,” John F. Kirby, a U.S. national security spokesman, told reporters.

In contrast, American officials praised Japan’s prime minister. On his unusual, unannounced trip to Kyiv, Mr. Kishida announced $470 million in aid for energy and other sectors, and $30 million in nonlethal equipment aid to Ukraine through a NATO trust fund. In a news conference, he called Russia’s actions “an aggression that shakes the foundation of international order.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/21/world/europe/xi-putin-russia-china-ukraine.html