If officially China denies supporting its Russian ally, the facts show that it is on its side. A position all the more acrobatic that behind the scenes the Chinese seem to want to play the conciliators in the conflict.
China abstained in the United Nations Security Council during the vote on the resolution condemning the Russian intervention in Ukraine on February 25. Undoubtedly growing closer to Russia, she had for several days avoided giving her outright support, contenting herself with emphasizing her “comprehension” Russian concerns about their territorial security, and to criticize those who “throw oil on the fire” – the United States – guilty of having promised Ukraine entry into NATO.
“They don’t call it an invasion”
In this support which does not say its name, we must see the difficulty posed by the Russian invasion to Chinese diplomacy, whose leitmotif is peace and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries, explains the New York Times. “They don’t call it an invasion. The terms Russian ‘military operations’ are preferred. Another term used is ‘the situation’.”
This acrobatic position could indicate an effort of conciliation between the parties. “China may have had a role in Russia’s efforts to appear more accommodating, even as Russian troops advanced towards Kiev”comments the American daily.
In fact, on February 25, in a telephone conversation with Xi Jinping, Putin said he was open to the idea of negotiations, which the Ukrainian president had also advocated. And over the press releases from the official agency Xinhua, Beijing has never departed from its “calls for restraint and resolution of the conflict through dialogue and peaceful means”.
Purchase of cereals and hydrocarbons
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Agnès Gaudu