Iran Press/ America: As Chinese President Xi Jinping prepared to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for the first time since weeks before war erupted in Ukraine, the White House has expressed opposition to any effort by Beijing to broker a ceasefire in the conflict.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Kremlin confirmed reports Friday that Xi will visit Russia from Monday through Wednesday, with conversations expected to encompass the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The visit follows a 12-point peace plan put forth by China last month on the anniversary of the conflict, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire accompanied by talks and an end to sanctions against Moscow.
But just one week after China managed to broker a surprise deal for Middle Eastern rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia to reestablish ties, National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby argued that such a cessation of hostilities would not be the positive development it may seem.
Such a move, Kirby asserted during a virtual press call on Friday, "would, in effect, recognize Russia's gains, and its attempt to conquer his neighbor's territory by force, allowing Russian troops to continue to occupy sovereign Ukrainian territory and, of course, it would be another continued violation of the U.N. Charter."
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