China claims that its stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict will not change despite pressure from the US.
At a press conference on March 18, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that Beijing maintains an "independent" position on the Ukraine crisis. "On the Ukraine issue, China makes an independent position based on the nature of the matter in a fair and objective manner," Zhao said.
The Chinese diplomat also emphasized that pressure from the US could not change Beijing's position. He accused some US officials of still trying to spread incorrect information regarding China's position, which Beijing considers "irresponsible" and unprofitable in finding out. find a solution to the current crisis in Ukraine.
"From China's point of view, the key to solving the Ukraine crisis lies in the hands of the US and NATO," Zhao said. He said that the US and its European allies need to "show responsibility in solving the Ukraine crisis" as well as "assume responsibility and take substantive action to defuse the situation".
These comments were made shortly before a phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden on Ukraine on March 18. This is the first phone conversation between the two leaders since the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out on February 24.
A US official said the phone call was an agreement during a seven-hour meeting between US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and top Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi on March 14.
Earlier, the US warned that Beijing would face serious consequences "if it provides material support for Russia's military operation in Ukraine". US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: "President Joe Biden will speak to President Xi Jinping and will make it clear that China is responsible for any action to assist Russia in its conflict with China. Ukraine". Blinken did not specify what consequences China might face.
Earlier this week, US officials said that China appeared to intend to provide military and economic assistance to Russia in response to Western sanctions after Moscow launched a military campaign in Ukraine. However, Washington did not provide evidence for this allegation. Russia and China later denied it.
Russia opened a "special military operation" in Ukraine on February 24 with a statement to "demilitarize" and "de-fascistize" Ukraine. The campaign has entered the 4th week but there is no sign of abating despite the negotiations of the two sides.
The United States and its Western allies have imposed a series of sanctions to pressure Russia to end its military action in Ukraine. However, Moscow has repeatedly affirmed that this operation will only end when Ukraine meets its requirements, including ensuring neutrality, demilitarization, recognition of independence for the two breakaway regions in the Donbass, recognition Crimean peninsula of Russia.
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