Beijing, 18 March 2022 (TDI): Chinese President, Xi Jinping, and U.S. President, Joe Biden, exchanged views via video link. Chinese U.S. Presidents discussed bilateral ties along with the condition of Ukraine. The exchange took place on March 18.
The call was scheduled after a meeting of Chinese and US officials in Rome. During the meeting, the national security advisor of Biden, Jake Sullivan, warned Chinese diplomat, Yang Jiechi, of dire consequences and political implications if China supports Russia.
Remarks of President Xi Jinping
During the talk, President Xi highlighted that the world is not a place to expect tranquility and stability. In the context of the Ukraine Crisis, China doesn’t want the events to go to that end between Russia and Ukraine.
However, the ongoing conflict suggests that countries should avoid reaching the point of battlefield. As per the remarks of President Xi, conflict cannot benefit any country.
Therefore, the international community must strive for the security and peace of the world. China and U.S. are permanent members of the UNSC. Owing to this position, both countries should guide their bilateral ties towards the right position.
Moreover, both countries should shoulder international responsibilities for peace and stability. In addition to that, the Chinese side maintained that it is not on the wrong side of history. China has maintained an independent position regarding the situation of Ukraine.
Indeed, many other countries have drawn independent conclusions for the de-escalation of the Ukraine crisis. Similarly, countries have encouraged peace talks while safeguarding their interests and legitimate rights.
Following that, the Chinese side maintained that conditions could have been different if NATO avoided eastward expansionism. Further, supplying weapons to Ukraine along with NATO membership deteriorated the already beleaguered situation.
What is Ukraine Crisis?
On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a military operation in Ukraine. A day before, the Security Council of Russia adopted the decision to hold a ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine.
Before this, a day before, Russia also recognized the Republics of the Luhansk and Donetsk, much to the West’s chagrin. The Donetsk and Luhansk are a part of the Donbas region that is pro-Russia territory.
Recently, Western countries had been alleging Russia about troops’ deployment on the border of Ukraine. However, Russia had been denying the allegations by claiming that it has no intention to invade Ukraine.
One of the main issues of contention between Russia and the EU/US is NATO’s beefed-up defenses in northeastern Europe and Ukraine’s intent to join NATO. A series of negotiations were held between Russian and Western counterparts to avert escalation. Though, that indelibly failed.
According to Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s stance regarding Ukraine is a matter of principle. In this context, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that if attempts to come to terms on mutually acceptable principles fail, Russia will adopt an appropriate response.
Au contraire, the Ukrainian authorities had been alerting the world about a possible invasion. Consequently, tensions escalated between the two countries and led to strained bilateral relations.
Moreover, despite the United States and EU sending strong messages to warn Russia, the threat of economic isolation couldn’t deter Russia to compromise on what it considers its national interest.
