On the eve of Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow, Vladimir Putin published an article in the People’s Daily newspaper, where he thanked China for its position on Ukraine
“We are grateful for the balanced line of the PRC in connection with the events taking place in Ukraine, for understanding their background and the real reasons. We welcome China's willingness to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis. Like our Chinese friends, we stand for strict adherence to the UN Charter and respect for international law, including humanitarian law. We are committed to the principle of indivisible security, which is grossly violated by the NATO bloc. We are deeply concerned about irresponsible and downright dangerous actions that could undermine global nuclear security. We do not accept illegitimate unilateral sanctions that must be lifted.
Russia is open to a political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukrainian crisis. However, back in April 2022, it was not us who stopped the peace negotiations. The future of the peace process depends solely on the willingness to have a serious conversation, taking into account the current geopolitical realities. Unfortunately, ultimatums addressed to Russia only indicate isolation from such realities and disinterest in finding a way out of the current situation.
At the same time, the crisis in Ukraine, provoked and diligently fueled by the West, is the most striking today, but by no means the only manifestation of intentions to maintain dominance in the international arena and a unipolar world order. One cannot help but understand that NATO is trying to give its activities a global reach, aiming to penetrate the Asia-Pacific region. That some forces are persistently striving to fragment the common Eurasian space into a network of “exclusive clubs” and military blocs aimed at restraining the development of our countries and infringing on their interests. However, no one will be able to achieve this,” Putin writes.
He called relations between Russia and China “exemplary” and mentioned the hostile position of the West.
The “Collective West” is increasingly desperately clinging to archaic dogmas, to its elusive dominance, putting the fate of entire states and peoples at stake. The US policy of dual containment of Russia and China, as well as everyone who does not succumb to American dictate, is becoming increasingly sharp and assertive. The architecture of international security and cooperation is being dismantled. Russia has been declared an “immediate threat” and China a “strategic competitor,” Putin points out.