Kirby, National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator.

(Reuters file photo)

[Compiler Lin Yuxuan/Comprehensive Report] Beijing last month proposed a 12-point ceasefire and cessation of the war between Ukraine and Russia. After China announced on the 17th that President Xi Jinping would go to Moscow to meet with Russian President Putin from the 20th to the 23rd, the United States took the lead. Kirby, the strategic communication and coordinator of the National Security Council, expressed concern about the increasingly friendly relations between China and Russia. The United States opposes Xi Jinping's possible call for a ceasefire, because a ceasefire is tantamount to an endorsement of Russia's aggression.

U.S. fears leaving Russia waiting for an opportunity to relaunch attacks

Kirby explained that the ceasefire is tantamount to acknowledging the results of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, and at the same time allows the Russian army to take the opportunity to consolidate the occupied positions, reorganize troops and equipment, so as to launch an attack again at an appropriate time; at this time, a ceasefire is not in the interests of Ukraine and violates the United Nations Charter because it overturns popular perceptions of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

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Suggest direct talks between Xi and Zelensky

Regarding Xi Jinping's visit to Russia, Kirby responded that if China is really interested in peace, the U.S. encourages Xi to have a direct dialogue with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, to truly understand Ukrainian views, rather than just relying on Putin's one-sided words.

As for whether China will provide Russia with lethal weapons, Kirby reiterated that there is no relevant sign or concrete evidence to prove this. The US has privately and publicly warned Beijing not to provide Russia with lethal military assistance, but China has not ruled out this option.

Autor, an East Asian security expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, said that China created the illusion of playing a constructive role, but in fact it was only for anti-American purposes.

Cramer, executive director of the US "Busch Institute", said that China's proposed ceasefire seems to be to save Putin because of the poor performance of the Russian military.

A senior NATO official pointed out anonymously that there are as many as 1,500 Russian casualties on the Ukrainian-Russian battlefield every day, and most of them are located in the Udonian city of Bakhmut.

The British Ministry of Defense stated on the 18th that the Russian Parliament has introduced a bill to change the current service age from 18 to 27 to 21 to 30, which is expected to take effect in January next year, showing that Russia is still active in conscription.

At the same time, many Russian media reported that Russia will enlist 400,000 volunteers in April to increase its military strength by 50%.