US says West conveying China that neutrality over Russia-Ukraine war 'not an option'

United States and allies are stressing that China’s neutrality in Russia-Ukraine war is “t an option”, said US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland. During a congressional hearing on Tuesday, Nuland said, “ Chinese like to say that y are neutral in this conflict... [German] Chancellor [Olaf] Scholz and [French] President [Emmanuel] Macron talked to [Chinese President] Xi Jinping just today to impress upon Chinese that neutrality is t an option here”.

China has sought to take a neutral stance in Russia-Ukraine conflict but has repeatedly called against unilateral sanctions on Russia which are imposed by West. Recently, Chinese Foreign Ministry deunced US for banning imports of Russian gas, oil and coal. According to Sputnik, Chinese Foreign Ministry said that Beijing strongly opposes humanitarian corridors from several Ukrainian cities. 

Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday underscored Beijing’s ties with Moscow. In a news conference, Wang said, “ China-Russia relationship is valued for its independence…We are determined [to keep relationship] free from interference or discord sown by third parties.”

Chinese Foreign Minister h referenced countries’ joint statement about a “new era” of international relations that followed a high-profile meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vlimir Putin in early February. statement h also said that re was “ limits” or “forbidden areas” of cooperation without mentioning Ukraine. 

According to official translation from Mandarin to English, Wang said, “It sends an unequivocal mess to world that China and Russia jointly oppose attempts to revive Cold War mindset or provoke ideology-based confrontation”.

“ friendship between Chinese and Russian peoples is rock solid,” he ded.

China to provide Ukraine with emergency supplies

Furr, Chinese Foreign Minister said that Red Society of China would provide Ukraine with emergency supplies “as soon as possible”. Wang has also portrayed China-Russia relationship to be separate from Beijing’s relations with Europe. He said that Beijing’s ties with Taiwan are separate from Russia-Ukraine conflict, which according to China, is a matter between two countries.

Meanwhile, General Staff of Armed Forces of Ukraine has claimed that Russian forces have lost over 12,000 personnel along with 317 tanks and around 120 artillery systems. Earlier, Russian forces also killed mayor of Gostomel, a town near Ukrainian capital Kyiv as y continue to capture major cities in neighbouring country. 

(Im: AP)