Russia-Ukraine war: UK PM Johnson pressures China over neutral stand; 'sitting on fence'

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on China to deunce Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In an interview with Sunday Times, Boris Johnson encourd China to come off fence and deunce Russian President Vlimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine along with rest of world. Prime Minister claimed that some in Chinese President Xi Jinping's ministration were having "second thoughts" about Beijing's impartial posture in wake of Russia's actions against its neighbour.

However, despite Johnson's warning of a possible shift in attitude, China slammed NATO again on Saturday as Russian forces continued to shell Ukrainian towns and cities. He stated that as time passes and number of Russian atrocities rises, he believes it will become increasingly difficult and politically uncomfortable for anyone to condone Putin's invasion, wher actively or passively.

"re are considerable dilemmas w for people who thought y could sit this one out, who thought y could sit on fence. And, yes, I think that in Beijing you are starting to see some second thoughts," Johnson told Sunday Times.

On Friday, US President Joe Biden held a two-hour video call with Chinese President Xi, but re was little sign of a shift in Beijing's stance. On Saturday, China's vice foreign minister, Le Yucheng, blamed war on NATO and criticised Russian sanctions. tably, on Thursday, leers of NATO alliance, including Biden, will meet in Brussels. UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, predicted that meeting would be "very significant," with new pledges of support for Ukraine and its president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, possible. People, according to Johnson, will want to do more to help Ukrainians protect mselves.

Russian invasion brought 30% of Ukrainian ecomy to halt

According to Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergey Marchenko, Russian invasion has brought 30% of Ukrainian ecomy to a halt. He stated that figure was based on preliminary tax payment data. However, due to a drop in tax and customs receipts, minister stated that country was still servicing its debt and relying on borrowing.

On Saturday, Ukraine reported it h evacuated 6,623 individuals using humanitarian corridors. Kyrylo Tymoshenko, deputy he of president's office, stated 4,128 people h been evacuated from Mariupol, which was besieged by Russian soldiers. Furrmore, UN estimates that nearly 850 people have been murdered since fighting began.

(With ncy inputs)

Im: AP