The friendship between China and Russia is “very strong”, and the cooperation offers both countries advantages and many opportunities.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that the Chinese Red Cross would send humanitarian aid to Ukraine during a press conference.
The minister reiterated his call for Moscow and Kyiv to continue their negotiations on the cessation of hostilities as soon as possible. Those are planned for later in the day, but much is still unclear about that. According to the minister, Beijing is prepared to mediate together with the international community.
Last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to a “borderless partnership”. Beijing has neither condemned nor expressed support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
According to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, China has a crucial role in ending the war that has now lasted more than a week and a half. It is up to China to demonstrate its commitment to peace and respect for sovereignty “at this pivotal point of history,” Morrison said.
According to him, no other country has more influence on those in power in Moscow and Beijing, like the rest of the world, should condemn the invasion and impose sanctions against Russia. Morrison denounced the economic lifeline that China offers Russia by, among other things, easing import restrictions on grain.