China’s Wagner crisis statement: It’s Russia’s internal affair

In a written statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, “This is Russia’s internal matter. As Russia’s friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic coordination partner in the new era, China supports its national stability, development and prosperity.” expression was used.

The statement came after Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko’s contacts with an unplanned visit to China.

Rudenko met with Foreign Minister China Gang and Vice Minister Ma Caosu.

At the meeting of the Russian diplomat with the China Gang, it was stated that “international and regional issues of common interest were discussed.”

In the meeting between the delegations, chaired by Rudenko and his counterpart Ma, it was stressed that “in line with the agreement reached by the leaders of the two countries, it is important that the parties protect their common interests by communicating in a timely manner in an environment international situation that presents a challenging and complex situation”.

Noting the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in maintaining regional peace and stability, the parties declared that they will “strengthen solidarity and cooperation for the organization’s healthy and sustainable development.”

WAGNER’S CRISIS

Yevgeny Prigojin, the founder of the private security company Wagner, accused the Russian military of carrying out an attack against Wagner and threatened to respond, Wagner’s fighters left Ukraine and entered the Rostov border region.

Faced with this situation, the Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal case on the charge of “armed riots”.

Russian President Vladimir Putin described Wagner’s revolt as “treason”.

Prigokhin announced that they would go to Moscow, and the Kremlin administration had increased security measures in many parts of the country.

It was reported that Yevgeny Prigojin yesterday accepted the proposal of the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, to reduce tensions in Russia.

Prigojin announced that they understood responsibility for the Russian bloodshed and would turn back their convoys and return to the camps according to plan.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitriy Peskov stated that the criminal case against Prigojin would be closed and the rebel leader would go to Belarus.

CHINA’s position on the UKRAINE-RUSSIA WAR

The Russia-Ukraine War, which began at a time when China’s geostrategic rivalry with the US and regional tensions were escalating, brought the Beijing administration closer to Moscow, which faces similar challenges with the perception of a “common enemy”. “.

The joint statement by the leaders of China and Russia, during the meeting of Putin’s visit to China for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games on February 4, 2022, just before the start of the war, emphasizing that “the friendship between the two countries have no limits”, the Beijing administration is aware of the war that will start soon. It was interpreted as a sign that he was in possession and he gave his tacit consent.

While China did not participate in international sanctions against Russia after the war, it largely complied with the sanctions framework so as not to harm its economic relations with the United States and Europe.

On the other hand, Beijing also benefited from trade that changed direction as sanctions restricted trade between Europe and Russia, and after the war it was observed that the trade volume between the two countries increased, especially in the field of energy. .

While the US and Europe warned China against providing arms support to Russia in the war, Beijing continued its military cooperation with Moscow, including joint military exercises, despite not directly selling weapons.

FROM SUGGESTIONS FOR PEACE TO THE MEDIATION INITIATIVE…

On February 24, the anniversary of the war, China announced its 12-point “attitude document” containing its proposals for a political solution to the crisis, stressing that a ceasefire must be achieved by gradually reducing the tensions.

The ceasefire proposal was not accepted by the United States and the European Union, as well as by Ukraine, which perceived it as an endorsement of the real situation at the front. The kyiv administration claimed that a peace under these conditions would mean “freezing the war.”

Russia also stated that it attaches importance to China’s opinion, but that the necessary conditions for the transition to the path of peace in solving the Ukrainian problem are not formed in the current conditions.

President Xi called for a political solution to the Ukraine issue during his visit to Moscow from March 20 to 22, but the emphasis on expanding strategic cooperation between Beijing and Moscow on a global scale was interpreted as a sign that China continues to support Russia. .

In his first phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on April 26, Chinese President Xi Jinping said his country would send his country’s special envoy for Eurasian affairs Li Hui to Ukraine, Russia and other countries. to carry out negotiations for a political solution. he had given her the role of him.

Li, who was assigned for this purpose, visited the capitals of Poland, France, Germany, the European Union and Russia during the mediation tour that started with Ukraine on May 15 and made contacts. (AA)