China's Ceasefire Proposal Called "False Propaganda" by the US

On the 24th (local time), marking the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the United States directly accused China of inciting Russian falsehoods in response to China's ceasefire proposal announced on the same day.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America" and stated, "Any proposal that can advance peace is worth considering," but added, "China outwardly claims to be a neutral country, but at the same time is spreading Russia's false claims about the war."

He also repeatedly asserted the possibility that the Chinese leadership is considering providing weapons such as drones and ammunition to Russia, saying, "China is considering supplying lethal weapons."

At a meeting with Wang Yi, a member of the Chinese Communist Party Central Political Bureau, at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Germany on the 18th, Blinken had directly warned about the implications and consequences if China provides material support to Russia or helps systematically evade sanctions.

Earlier, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement titled "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis," urging that the current war must be ended through a political solution and calling for Ukraine and Russia to resume dialogue and seek a ceasefire.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

At the UN Security Council ministerial meeting on Ukraine held in New York on the same day, Secretary Blinken targeted China, saying, "No Security Council member state that supports Russia is qualified to talk about peace."

In particular, Blinken clearly opposed calls for a temporary and unconditional ceasefire rather than a permanent peace, arguing that it would only give Russia time to rearm.

He went on to say, "A peace that legitimizes Russia's occupation of part of Ukraine's territory through military aggression violates the UN Charter," and warned, "It would send a wrong message that other aggressor states can use force and then evade consequences."

Blinken added that peace negotiations must align with the principles of the UN Charter, which guarantee a nation's sovereignty, territory, and independence.

At the meeting, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba referenced the UN General Assembly's resolution passed the previous day, which called for Russia's immediate withdrawal, and said, "Peace negotiations with Russia must also comply with the content of the resolution."