Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Vladimir Putin in Moscow is more than a symbolic visit. “They see and talk often, but this is the first visit to Moscow since the February invasion last year,” said foreign affairs commentator Bernard Hammelburg.
The visit is dominated by two things, Hammelburg says. Western countries fear that China will supply weapons to Russia. This can be in the form of simple things like semiconductors for weapon systems or grenades. There is a great lack of this on both sides.”
Also, China’s peace plan will be discussed. “The first step is: a ceasefire.” But there’s also a downside to that, Hammelburg says. ‘That means a freeze on the current status quo. And that gives the Russians an edge in the negotiations. However, this is something many people are hoping for.’
Western countries fear that China will supply weapons to Russia
Withdraw
However, signals are coming from Ukraine that they see little in China’s peace plans. China’s 12 points were rejected by Zelensky. This is understandable,’ says Hammelburg. Ukraine says Russia must first fully withdraw from occupied territories, including Crimea. And China’s plan doesn’t talk about that.’
On the other hand, Zelensky said he likes talking to Xi, Hammelburg says. “It hasn’t happened yet. The foreign ministers spoke to each other».
‘Above all there is talk of financing a procedure against Vladimir Putin’
The big question is therefore whether China will even have telephone consultations with Ukraine during this three-day visit to Russia. “And then you make a real effort to bring both sides together.” There is much talk of a previous achievement by China, Hammelburg says. Then Xi convinced Iran and Saudi Arabia to restore relations between the two countries. It is the first time in history that China has entered the path of geopolitics, especially in such a complicated matter. So who knows, maybe it will work now.’
Criminal Court
Support for the ICC in investigating Russian war crimes in Ukraine is being discussed today in London. ‘Forty people are currently working on research, but much more is needed. During that London conference, the main topic of discussion was the financing of a proceeding against Vladimir Putin.
The question is also what other countries that are members of the ICC can do in this process. The chance that Putin will have to appear before this court is very small because Russia does not recognize the ICC. “But countries are obliged to detain Putin if he sets foot on their territory. It’s complicated. If Putin wants to speak to the assembly of a country in Eastern Europe or a country in Asia, and that country is a member of the International Criminal Court, they have to arrest Putin. And this too is a difficult question that needs to be discussed.’
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
