The calls of Emmanuel Macron and his American counterpart Joe Biden have therefore not been heard. Tuesday, April 18, Beijing, through the voice of its Minister of Defense, Li Shangfu, visiting Moscow, showed its “determination” to strengthen cooperation with the Russian army, according to comments reported by Russian news agencies. .
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who received his Chinese counterpart on Tuesday, for his part called for developing these relations “by offering each other strong support, including with regard to national security issues. “. “It is important that our countries share the same assessment of the direction of the ongoing transformation of the global geopolitical landscape. »
The visit comes as Westerners, allied to kyiv, fear that Beijing will deliver arms to Russia to fuel its war effort in Ukraine. While Beijing denies intending to supply its Russian partner with armaments and has declared itself to be officially neutral since the start of the war, the Chinese leaders have never condemned the Russian invasion and Xi Jinping has never spoken to Volodymyr Zelensky. Ukrainian President.
A different treatment from what is reserved for Vladimir Putin. The two men met in March, and had shown their good understanding, posing as strategic allies determined to resist American hegemony.
China also outlined its 12-point position on the Ukrainian conflict, in which it formally calls for respect for the sovereignty of all countries – including Ukraine – but refrains from any criticism of Moscow.
