According to a White House spokesman, the United States rejects Chinese requests for a cease-fire in Ukraine, arguing that doing so would only solidify “Russian conquest” and give the Kremlin time to plan a fresh push.
Prior to Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow the following week, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, “We don’t support calls for a ceasefire right now.
“We absolutely don’t accept demands for a ceasefire that would be made by the PRC in a meeting in Moscow that would simply benefit Russia,” he said, using the Chinese acronym for the country’s government, the People’s Republic of China.
Making a ceasefire the top priority would relieve pressure on Russian forces, according to the United States, which is leading a Western coalition to arm Ukraine and support its defence against Russia’s more than year-long invasion. This would give Russia the chance to further solidify its control over large areas of territory.
A truce at this time would essentially ratify Russian dominance, according to Kirby.
“Russia would then be free to exploit a cease-fire to simply strengthen their positions in Ukraine, to rebuild, refit, and refresh their forces so they can resume operations on Ukraine at a time of their choosing,” said the statement.
We don’t think this is a step in the direction of a lasting and just peace.
Kirby reaffirmed that President Joe Biden intends to speak with Xi on the phone, but she added that no preparations have even been made.
“There isn’t a call planned. We’re not actively working on the practicalities of bringing that up right now, despite the fact that the president has made it clear he wants and anticipates another opportunity to speak with President Xi, the official added.
No outreach to the Chinese to work on the logistics, as far as I’m aware.
US authorities are keenly monitoring China to see if it will continue to support Russia diplomatically by providing it with military supplies like ammo and weapons.
Beijing hasn’t “taken it off the table, but we also haven’t seen any indicators, any proof, that they have decided to move in that path or have actually given” weaponry, according to Kirby.
