That's right, US President Joe Biden has already left Kiev and stayed in Kiev for about 5 hours. Western media are still digesting the "surprise" left by his surprise visit to Kiev.
Visiting a city that may be attacked by missiles at any time is indeed a "high-risk" event for the US president; moreover, Poland should be the first stop of Biden's publicized visit to Europe in advance.
Just the day before, the spokesperson of the White House National Security Council was still saying that Biden had no plans to visit Ukraine.
But honestly, it's not surprising.
As the first anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict approaches, Biden will inevitably need to perform.
Biden announced in Kiev that he would continue to provide $500 million in aid to Ukraine, including more military equipment, and that he would announce more sanctions on people and companies supporting Russia later this week.
While the U.S. continued to fire up the conflict in Ukraine, Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, arrived in Moscow and began his visit to Russia.
At the just-concluded Munich Security Conference, Wang Yi said that China's policy on the Ukraine issue can be summed up in one sentence, which is to persuade peace and promote talks.
As the spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "Who is calling for dialogue to strive for peace? And who is throwing swords at each other to instigate confrontation? The international community can see clearly."
Embracing military aid on the street + sanctioning high-profile shows
A very special visit by a special person to a special country at a special time.
On the first anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Biden went to Ukraine, as widely expected.
On the eve of the first anniversary of the war between Russia and Ukraine, Biden suddenly appeared in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, on February 20 to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
(Reuters)
According to media reports, at 4:15 am Eastern time on Sunday, Air Force One downloaded the 81-year-old Biden under the cover of night to leave Andrews Air Force Base for Europe, and then changed to a train for several hours from the Polish border. A little secret came to the Ukrainian capital.
Back and forth, almost 21 hours.
Biden didn't go to Zelensky's presidential palace, but they actually staged a street show.
The two came to St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, entered the building from the back, and walked out of the church together about 5 minutes later.
They walked to a wall of the dead with wreaths to pay their respects.
There they hugged each other.
On the sunny streets of Kiev.
Biden took off his sunglasses, Zelensky stretched out his hands, and then embraced warmly.
This is not only for Ukrainians, but also for Americans, and it should also be for Russia and the world.
There were media shots of Zelensky crying. When Biden shook hands with his men, he stood aside and quietly wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes.
Biden also deliberately wore a blue and yellow tie, the colors of the Ukrainian flag.
The meaning should also be very clear, the United States and Ukraine are together.
Just showing off is not enough. Biden still brought actual gifts. He announced that he would provide Ukraine with about 500 million U.S. dollars in assistance, including weapons and equipment such as Seahorse rockets, anti-tank systems and radars.
Biden also promised that the U.S. will support Ukraine for as long as it needs, "and we won't leave."
Biden made a surprise visit to Kiev, the capital of Ukraine, where he stood in front of a church in Kiev with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
(Reuters)
Zelensky later used three words on Twitter to evaluate Biden's visit: historic, timely, and courageous.
He also said: "I thank the United States for standing with Ukraine, for our strong partnership, and we are determined to work together to ensure Ukraine's victory." Zelensky finally waited for Biden.
A sentence widely reported by many Western media is: "One year later, Kiev will stand up, Ukraine will stand up, and democracy will stand up." I don't know that after hearing Biden's beautiful words, those who have been devastated by war What are the feelings of ordinary Ukrainian people and those European people whose lives have been greatly affected by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine?
"China considers supplying arms to Russia"?
Just as Biden made a surprise visit to Kiev, Wang Yi arrived in Moscow on the 20th local time.
Regarding the purpose and consideration of this trip, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has long introduced: During the visit, Wang Yi and the Russian side will focus on in-depth exchanges of views on the development of Sino-Russian relations in the next stage and international and regional hotspot issues of common concern.
China is willing to take this visit as an opportunity to work with Russia to promote the steady progress of bilateral relations along the direction set by the two heads of state, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of both sides, and play a positive role in world peace.
Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi (right) met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba (left) at request on February 18, 2023, while attending the Munich Security Conference (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China)
However, the West once again put on "colored glasses" and made a lot of distorted interpretations of the normal interactions between China and Russia.
On the eve of Wang Yi's visit to Russia, some U.S. officials repeatedly publicly accused "China of considering providing weapons to Russia" and threatened that this would mean "serious consequences" for China.
Republican anti-China Senator Lindsey Graham even said convincingly that if China provides weapons to Russia, it would be like "buying a ticket to the Titanic after watching a movie."
US Secretary of State Blinken (Antony Blinken) also said in an interview a few days ago that China is considering providing Russia with "lethal support" including weapons and ammunition, and claimed that China has provided "non-lethal support" to Russia.
In this regard, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin responded on February 20 that it was the United States, not China, that continued to provide weapons.
The U.S. is not qualified to issue orders to China, and we never accept that the U.S. dictates Sino-Russian relations, or even coerces and pressures them.
These accusations and threats are the same as the "splashing of dirty water" and "labeling" that the United States used to do in the past. There is no substantive evidence, and they are all based on the "presumption of guilt" against China based on the mouths of politicians.
Zelensky said in an interview on the 20th that there is no evidence that Beijing is providing military assistance to Moscow.
In the report, the BBC always quoted expert analysis to remind the United States: Doing so can easily remind people of the past when Washington used "weapons of mass destruction" as an excuse to send troops to the Iraq War for the second time.
This time the U.S. is using "China's supply of weapons to Russia" as an issue. In addition to reflecting its real concerns, the more important thing is that Washington wants to use this "preventive pressure" method to push China to the trial seat. , using the so-called pressure of public opinion to force China to do something that violates its position and principles.
After the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the so-called "China Responsibility Theory" emerged in Western public opinion.
This kind of "responsibility" is fundamentally different from the "responsibility" in China's so-called "responsible big country".
The "responsibility" emphasized by the United States, to put it bluntly, is to maintain the same position and keep pace with it in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
China insists on an independent foreign policy and its stance of persuading peace and promoting talks. Since it is not consistent with the United States, it has become "irresponsible".
The United States is obviously creating a discourse trap, trying to kidnap China morally.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin responded on February 20 that it was the United States, not China, that continued to provide weapons.
(Visual China)
The value brought by China and the United States is different
Biden sent military aid, and during the Munich Security Conference, French President Emmanuel Macron also called for more aid to Ukraine.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also said to be prepared for a protracted war.
However, what is the true attitude of European countries must be looked at more comprehensively.
For example, Macron did call on Western allies to step up their military support for Ukraine, but he also told the French newspaper Le Dimanche that he believed regime change in Russia was impossible and that a democratic solution could not be found within Russian civil society other than to allow Putin has no choice but to return to the negotiating table.
Moreover, when Macron met with Wang Yi, he emphasized that it is of great significance for France and China to strengthen strategic dialogue.
France and China should work together to maintain the stability and balance of the international community, uphold multilateralism, oppose group confrontation, and avoid world division.
These three points were deliberately told by Macron to the United States, and this is not the first time that Macron has expressed this.
Scholz met with Wang Yi in Munich and also said that the next round of consultations between the two governments should be started as soon as possible.
Scholz's attitude is also clear: Germany will firmly develop economic and trade relations with China and oppose any form of "decoupling".
Moreover, strong German-Chinese relations and mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation are conducive to world stability and prosperity.
In fact, Germany opposes any form of decoupling, which is another word the US does not want to hear.
The point is that Germany should start the next round of government consultations with China as soon as possible.
However, the United States' statement that it ordered EU countries to get rid of their dependence on China's economy was ignored by Germany and France.
Emmanuel Macron calls for more aid to Ukraine.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also said to be prepared for a protracted war.
However, what is the true attitude of European countries must be looked at more comprehensively.
(Xinhua News Agency)
Compared with the US approach, what China has brought to other countries are investment opportunities, trade opportunities, and economic cooperation opportunities.
The opportunity brought by China is creation and economic value.
What the United States brings to its allies is only values.
Behind the value is the energy crisis, inflation...
Back to the Russo-Ukrainian War, how long will it actually last?
In fact, it is now widely believed that the Russia-Ukraine conflict is unlikely to end this year.
It will be difficult for both sides to gain a clear victory, and it will be a high probability event to maintain a protracted stalemate.
That is to say, there is almost no possibility of any party relying on an absolute victory on the battlefield to end the conflict, and the conflict can only be ended through negotiations.
Persuading peace and promoting talks is exactly what China has been working hard for.
However, the United States provides military aid and imposes sanctions, and continues to mobilize EU countries to aid Ukraine. If Russia does not fight well, it may recruit troops again. Russia has not used its national power to fight this war, and there is still room for further increase. Continuing to compete will only prolong the war.
Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver a public State of the Union address today (February 21). At the same time, the US also announced that President Joe Biden will also deliver a speech on the first anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war that day.
This creates a picture of Biden and Putin talking separately about Ukraine on the same day.
How will the two express themselves, and will they release new signals of war?
Right now, fighting continues in eastern Ukraine and "the spring offensive has begun".
The Russian army is launching attacks against the Ukrainian army in multiple directions, and the Ukrainian army is also preparing for a spring counteroffensive.
Biden's surprise visit to Ukraine: The military aid package is coming again, but when can the United States increase the size?
Biden made a surprise visit to Ukraine to push a new $500 million military aid plan including rockets and anti-tank weapons Wang Yi: China will work with all peace-loving countries to achieve a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine Meeting with Putin in Munich｜Wang Yi's theory of "looting" has been highly exposed. Have you noticed the "cheat"?
