Chinese Foreign Minister Heads to Moscow Amid Western Moves on Ukraine
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi traveled to Moscow on Monday for talks with his counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, in a visit overshadowed by ongoing Western actions regarding Ukraine.
- Wang is scheduled to meet with Lavrov on Tuesday, shortly after Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle to a limited ceasefire following a call between US President Donald Trump and the two leaders.
- It remains uncertain when such a truce could be implemented, how long it might last, and what the key targets would be off-limits.
Trump’s Frustration with Russian and Ukrainian Leaders
Trump expressed frustration over the leaders of both Russia and Ukraine in a statement on Sunday. He criticized both Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, showing dissatisfaction with their actions.
- Although Trump said there was progress, he acknowledged the hatred between the two leaders, mentioning that he was “angry, pissed off” over Putin’s questioning of Zelenskyy’s credibility.
- These comments coincided with increasing signs of tension between the US and its NATO allies, including Canada, with whom the US is also in a trade dispute.
China’s Neutral Stance on Ukraine Conflict
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, reiterated Beijing’s position of neutrality in the Ukraine conflict.
- Guo emphasized that dialogue and negotiation are the only solutions to the crisis.
- He added that China’s cooperation with Russia is not aimed at any third party and should not be influenced by external parties.
China did not directly reference Ukraine in its official announcement of Wang’s visit. Instead, it focused on strategic coordination and expanding practical cooperation between the two nations.
- A spokesperson noted that China aims to use this visit to work with Russia on international and regional issues of shared concern.
China’s Support for Russia and North Korea’s Position
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China has provided strong diplomatic support and economic assistance, notably in energy trade and consumer goods.
- However, China has refrained from supplying Russia with weapons or military expertise and put forward a vague peace plan, which was quickly dismissed by most observers.
- Meanwhile, North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, expressed firm support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, signaling his alignment with Russia’s position.
A South Korean intelligence report from late February suggested that North Korea may have sent additional troops to Russia after its own forces sustained heavy casualties fighting in Ukraine.
