Fearing another Chinese achievement, US raises doubts about peace plan

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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday voiced skepticism over Chinese President Xi Jinping's peace proposals in Moscow, claiming that they could be a "stalling tactic" to help Russia on the ground in Ukraine.

"The world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia, supported by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its own terms," Blinken told reporters.

He claimed that the United States welcomed any diplomacy for a "just and durable peace" but raised doubts that China was safeguarding the "sovereignty and territorial integrity" of Ukraine.

In late February, China released a 12-point document titled "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis" emphasizing Beijing’s respect for the sovereignty of all countries, calling for the cessation of hostilities and resuming negotiations between Moscow and Kiev.

"Any plan that does not prioritize this critical principle is a stalling tactic at best or is merely seeking to facilitate an unjust outcome. That is not constructive diplomacy," Blinken said.

The top US official considered that "calling for a ceasefire that does not include the removal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory would effectively be supporting the ratification of Russian conquest."

Washington has accused Beijing of mulling arms exports to Moscow -- claims China has vociferously denied.

Blinken, who earlier on Monday announced $350 million in new US military aid to Ukraine, renewed support for the stance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who demanded a Russian withdrawal.

"If China is committed to supporting an end to the war based on the principles of the UN Charter -- as called for in point one of its plan -- it can engage with President Zelensky and Ukraine on that basis and use its influence to compel Moscow to pull back its forces," he said.

On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia welcomes the Chinese initiative aimed at resolving the war in Ukraine.

"We appreciate the well-balanced stance on the events in Ukraine adopted by the PRC [People's Republic of China], as well as its understanding of their historical background and root causes. We welcome China's readiness to make a meaningful contribution to the settlement of the crisis," Putin said in an article he wrote for the Chinese Communist Party’s official paper People’s Daily.

Read more: US opposes ceasefire in Ukraine: White House

Putin says ready to discuss China's Ukraine plan with Xi

Earlier, Putin told Xi that Russia was open to discussing China's proposals to end the fighting in Ukraine at the start of high-stakes talks at the Kremlin.

"We are always open to negotiations," Putin told Xi, who was on his first visit to Moscow since the start of the war in Ukraine last year.

"We will certainly discuss all these issues, including your initiatives which we treat with respect, of course," Putin said.

Shortly after landing at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport, Xi considered that his visit would give "new momentum" to Chinese-Russian ties.

During his initial meeting with Putin, Xi hailed "close ties" with Russia and the Russian leader said the two countries had "plenty of common objectives and tasks."

The two will continue talks on Tuesday.

It is noteworthy that under the auspices of the Chinese President, Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to restore diplomatic relations and reopen missions in respective countries after a series of talks brokered in Beijing, China, after seven years of strained ties.

After the agreement, White House National Security Council Spokesperson John Kirby claimed that Iran may have entered into the negotiations due to internal pressures.

Read more: US admits diplomacy not an option in Ukraine, prefers arms supplies