Amidst Russia’s attack on Ukraine, China has once again made it clear that its friendship between Beijing and Moscow is as strong as rocks. However, China has said that it is open to mediation to end the Ukraine-Russia crisis. China has refused to condemn its close ally Moscow last month.
During an event in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said, “There is a strong friendship between the two countries, and the prospects for future cooperation of the two sides are enormous.” He said that China is ready to work with the international community to mediate between the two countries if needed.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said last week that China should mediate in future peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Beijing has repeatedly said that it will play a constructive role in negotiating a resolution to the crisis but has not previously spoken of attending or hosting any peace talks. Wang also said that China would send humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The Foreign Minister described China-Russia relations as the most important bilateral relationship in the world, conducive to world peace, stability and development.
Russian forces have intensified shelling in cities located in the central, northern and southern parts of Ukraine. A Ukrainian official gave this information. The second attempt to rescue the civilians trapped there also failed due to this shelling. Ukraine’s leader has urged his people to take to the streets to fight. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Russian attacks “can only be stopped if Kyiv ends hostilities”.