Russia's Position on the Ukraine Issue: "A Balanced Perspective"

Russia: "Putin's 'State Visit to China,' Will Discuss Ukraine Issue with Xi Jinping"

Russia highly praised China's problem-solving approach regarding the Ukraine war as a "balanced stance" and stated that President Vladimir Putin and President Xi Jinping will have intense discussions on the matter.

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, said in an interview with the Russian daily Izvestia on the 16th (local time), "Russia welcomes China's position on resolving the Ukraine situation." President Putin made a state visit to China to counter the Western world and strengthen solidarity.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Russia evaluates China's approach to the Ukraine "special military operation" as a "balanced perspective" different from that of the West. Peskov explained, "President Putin will discuss the Ukraine issue with President Xi," adding, "This is just the beginning of the dialogue and it will be very intense." He also noted that Ukraine is excluding the possibility of negotiations itself, saying, "It will be a long process, but China's constructive stance has left a deep impression on us."

Regarding the Ukraine peace conference scheduled to be held in Switzerland on the 15th-16th of next month without Russia's invitation, he criticized it as "an empty scholastic philosophy-like event with no prospects for concrete results," and said, "Discussing security issues related to us without Russia is absolutely futile." He also predicted that even if China attends the Ukraine peace conference, it would not be effective.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has been subjected to economic sanctions by Western countries but is trying to escape economic damage by increasing trade with China. Spokesperson Peskov emphasized that the trade volume between Russia and China exceeded $220 billion last year, saying, "This is proof that the economies of the two countries are complementary." He added, "The relationship between Russia and China is non-confrontational," and "It is not directed against any third country but seeks to improve the welfare of the peoples of both countries."