Politics

Putin lauds China relations as foreign minister visits Moscow

Moscow, Feb 22 (EFE).- Russian president Vladimir Putin praised his country’s ties with China as he met with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Moscow on Wednesday to discuss Beijing’s proposals to bring peace to Ukraine.

During their meeting, Putin said cooperation between the two nations was “important for stabilizing the international situation.”

“Sino-Russian relations are evolving just as we planned in prior years. Everything is progressing and developing. We are reaching new heights,” the Russian president said.

Wang, meanwhile, said China “supports a multipolar world and the democratization of international relations,” as he passed on “warm greetings” from Chinese president Xi Jinping, who is expected to visit Russia in the coming months.

Press reports indicate that the draft of the Chinese peace initiative includes championing the defense of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, calling for the cessation of hostilities and protecting nuclear facilities in Ukraine, as well as opposing the use of chemical weapons.

Western diplomats have criticized Beijing’s proposal for not considering the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory, which they believe is indispensable before peace talks can begin.

While China has acknowledged Ukraine’s territorial integrity, it has stopped short of condemning the Russian invasion, even hinting that it was justified because of Nato’s expansion.

During a meeting in Munich last week, Wang briefed Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba on the key points of the initiative.

The United States has said that Beijing is considering supplying Russia with lethal weapons, which China has denied.EFE

mos/ks/jt

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