Zelensky adviser says no need to 'freeze' conflict in Ukraine

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
21 Mar 2023 19:37
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This comes a day after US Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping will "reiterate calls for a ceasefire that leaves Russian forces inside Ukraine’s sovereign territory."

Ukrainian soldiers fire a self-propelled howitzer in Bakhmut, Donetsk region, Sunday, March 5, 2023 (AP Photo/Libkos)

An adviser to the Ukrainian Presidency, Mykhailo Podolyak, said on Tuesday that any attempt to 'freeze' the conflict in Ukraine through a ceasefire would imply an unfinished war for Europe.

"Any attempt to 'freeze the conflict', protract it, 'cease fire' will mean one thing - an unfinished war smoldering in the heart of Europe and constant erosion of the foundations of global security," Podolyak said on Twitter.

Any attempt to "freeze the conflict", protract it, "cease fire" will mean one thing - an unfinished war smoldering in the heart of Europe and constant erosion of the foundations of global security.
Draw the right conclusions and do not use the word "peace" in ru-interests.
— Михайло Подоляк (@Podolyak_M) March 21, 2023

This comes a day after US Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby warned that Chinese President Xi Jinping will "reiterate calls for a ceasefire that leaves Russian forces inside Ukraine’s sovereign territory," noting that the US is opposed to such a move as it would ratify Russia's alleged conquest.

On March 16, Kirby said that the US does not support an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine under a China-proposed peace strategy as it would constitute a violation of the UN charter by Russia.

"While [a ceasefire] sounds perfectly reasonable, and it sounds like a good thing, a ceasefire right now would basically ratify Russia's conquest. It would, in effect, recognize Russia's gains and all of its attempts to conquer its neighbors territory by force. So a ceasefire, right now, in our view, would constitute another continued violation of the UN charter by Russia," Kirby said during a press briefing.

China's head of State is currently on an official state visit to Moscow upon an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The visit marks the first since Xi's reelection for a third term in March as President of China.

The two held informal talks on Monday and kicked off formal talks on Tuesday during which both discussed various topics, including support for Chinese businesses in replacing their Western counterparts that have left Russia in light of the Ukraine war.

The use of Yuan in settlements between Russia and Asian, Latin American, and African states was also brought up in formal talks.

The trip was described by Beijing as a peace mission after it had last month made a peace proposal to put an end to the conflict taking Ukraine by storm.

3/
....President of China #XiJinping is currently in Russia on a three-day state visit at President #VladimirPutin's invitation.

6 glorious photos
3 📸- President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping before the beginning of Russian-Chinese talks.
Photos #GrigoriySisoev pic.twitter.com/BLFNaqUDId
— Gretchen Anne 🎹 Vladimir Putin~OFFICIAL Account  (@IvoryPearlMusic) March 21, 2023

On February 24, China issued a 12-point position paper on Ukraine that highlighted all the steps required to reach a "political settlement".

These include respecting the sovereignty of all countries, abandoning the Cold War mentality, ceasing hostilities, resuming peace talks, resolving the humanitarian crisis, protecting civilians and POWs, keeping nuclear power plants safe, reducing strategic risks, facilitating grain exports, stopping unilateral sanctions, keeping industrial and supply chains stable, and promoting post-conflict reconstruction.

Because the plan did not specify that Russia must withdraw its troops from Ukraine, the West accused China of an attempt to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty at the expense of Russia's.

Beijing has already dismissed these claims as false, with top diplomat Wang Yi saying China will continue to stand firmly on the side of dialogue and peace, and will not seek to fuel escalations nor remain a bystander.

"Dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solution to the Ukraine crisis," the document reads, adding that China will play a "constructive role," without offering details.