US warns against China-brokered ceasefire in Ukraine war

The United States views with skepticism the trip that Xi Jinping plans to Moscow next week and, above all, any attempt by the Chinese president to mediate to agree a truce in Russia's war in Ukraine at this time.

The White House National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby, made it clear this Friday: “His so-called 12-point [Beijing] peace plan calls for a ceasefire.

A ceasefire would now come to ratify the Russian conquest, it would recognize Russia's gains and its attempt to conquer the territory of its neighbor by force, allowing Russian troops to continue occupying Ukrainian sovereign territory."

In addition, such a result "would be another violation of the UN Charter," he added.

Russia “would be free to use a ceasefire simply to reinforce their positions in Ukraine and to reorganize and refresh their forces to launch attacks against Ukraine again at any time they want.

It is not a step towards a just and lasting peace,” according to the spokesperson.

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The Chinese president is scheduled to meet his counterpart and strategic partner Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Monday, in a visit that will come just three days after this Friday the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against the Russian leader for the "deportation illegal children” Ukrainians to Russia.

It will also take place a week after Russian planes shot down an American drone over the Black Sea.

The trip will also be Xi's first to the Russian capital in four years.

The meeting between the two leaders will take place at a sweet moment for Chinese diplomacy, mediator in the agreement announced last week between Saudi Arabia and Iran to restore their diplomatic relations after years of confrontations.

Beijing has also presented a 12-point peace plan for Ukraine that the United States, NATO and the European Union discard as they consider it leaning towards Moscow's positions.

Before or after the meeting with Putin, the Chinese president intends to talk by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodimir Zelenski, something to which the White House has given its unreserved support.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Dmitro Kuleba on Thursday.

“We think it is very important that Xi also listen to the Ukrainian side, not just Putin and the Russian perspective,” Kirby said.

A lasting and just peace - the goal that Washington claims to want in the conflict - must "fully incorporate the Ukrainian perspective and respect the basic idea of ​​sovereignty."

A ceasefire at this time, he considered, "although it may sound good, we don't think it would have that effect."

The United States accuses China of considering the possibility of sending weapons to Russia for use in the war, although it also specifies that "for the moment" it has not detected that Beijing has taken steps in this direction.

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