China Urges Peaceful Settlement in Ukraine Crisis, Biden Administration Considers Releasing Intelligence on China’s Position
By On Friday, China released a 12-point document outlining its position on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, calling for a ceasefire and peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.[0] The document stated that “all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be encouraged and supported,” and urged all parties to “avoid fanning the flames and aggravating tensions.”[1]
China has drawn closer to Russia since the invasion, signing a “no limits” partnership agreement in February 2022, just days before the start of the invasion.[2] Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Moscow for a summit in the coming months. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Moscow on Wednesday and said that the relationship between the two countries is “not directed against any other nation” and should not be subject to external pressure.[3]
The U.S. believes China may be providing nonlethal military assistance to Russia for use in Ukraine, and the administration worries Beijing is considering sending lethal aid.[4] Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Sunday that Beijing is “considering providing lethal support to Russia in its aggression against Ukraine.”[4] NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg echoed the concern on Tuesday.[5]
Ukraine called China’s position paper “a good sign” and said it expects Beijing to be more active in its support of Ukraine.[6] The U.S. and EU have also made clear that providing arms to Russia would be a “red line” that would result in serious consequences.[7]
China has maintained a neutral stance in the war, however, it has also said it has a “no limits friendship” with Russia and has refused to condemn the invasion of Ukraine.[8] According to the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, the Biden administration is pondering the release of intelligence that indicates China is pondering the supplying of weapons to support Russia's war in Ukraine.
Dialogue and negotiations remain the “only feasible solution to the Ukraine crisis” according to the Chinese government, which also stated that “nuclear weapons cannot be used, and nuclear war cannot be fought. The threat or use of nuclear weapons should be opposed.”[1] The Biden administration is now considering releasing intelligence it believes shows that China is considering sending “lethal support” to Russia in Ukraine.
0. “China Urges End to Ukraine War, Calls for Peace Talks” The Wall Street Journal, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-urges-cessation-of-hostilities-peace-talks-to-end-ukraine-war-ae45829a
1. “China calls for a cease-fire and peace talks between Russia and Ukraine” WBUR News, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.wbur.org/npr/1159208413/china-calls-for-a-cease-fire-and-peace-talks-between-russia-and-ukraine
2. “Friday briefing: Ukraine’s allies are settling in for the long haul as the war enters its second year” The Guardian, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/24/friday-briefing-ukraines-allies-are-settling-in-for-the-long-haul-as-the-war-enters-its-second-year
3. “What We’re Watching: China’s budding diplomacy, Biden’s border control, Russia’s big plans” GZERO Media, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.gzeromedia.com/what-were-watching-chinas-budding-diplomacy-bidens-border-control-russias-big-plans
4. “U.S. ambassador to U.N. warns China would be crossing a ‘red line’ if it provides lethal aid to Russia” NBC News, 19 Feb. 2023, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/us-ambassador-un-warns-china-crossing-red-line-provides-lethal-aid-rus-rcna71392
5. “Putin invaded Ukraine. China may be winning the war.” POLITICO, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-china-watcher/2023/02/23/putin-invaded-ukraine-china-may-be-winning-the-war-00084091
6. “China calls for Russia-Ukraine ceasefire as claims to neutrality questioned” CNN, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/23/china/china-position-political-settlement-ukraine-intl-hnk/index.html
7. “EU top diplomat says China will cross ‘red line' if it sends arms to Russia” POLITICO Europe, 20 Feb. 2023, https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-diplomat-josep-borrel-china-russia-ukraine-war
8. “China urges Russia-Ukraine cease-fire and peace talks” DW (English), 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.dw.com/en/china-urges-russia-ukraine-cease-fire-and-peace-talks/a-64806426
