In the middle of escalating tensions and the looming specter of nuclear conflict, China is urging restraint and calm between Russia and Ukraine, but can they truly keep the peace?
At a Glance
- China urged “calm” and “restraint” following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s nuclear threat and Ukraine’s use of longer-range US missiles.
- The US decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles to strike Russian territory has angered Moscow.
- Putin signed a decree allowing the use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states supported by nuclear powers.
- A senior official reported that the US-supplied ATACMS missiles were used in a strike on Russia’s Bryansk region.
- China called for dialogue and consultation to ease tensions and reduce strategic risks.
- China’s stance on de-escalating the Ukraine crisis and seeking a political resolution remains unchanged.
- The White House, UK, and EU condemned Putin’s nuclear decree as “irresponsible.”
- French President Emmanuel Macron urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to use his influence with Putin to de-escalate the situation.
- China positions itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine war, not providing lethal assistance, but remains a close ally of Russia.
- NATO members have labeled China a “decisive enabler” of the war, which China has not condemned.
China Calls for Calm
China has called for calm and restraint after Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree on the broader use of nuclear weapons. Escalating tensions push the world closer to a potentially catastrophic conflict, though these words by China are certainly out of left field.
The U.S. has permitted Ukraine to utilize long-range ATACMS missiles, which has intensified Russia’s ire in recent days. In response, China’s Foreign Ministry emphasized the power of dialogue to reduce strategic risks amid this turmoil.
A Stand for Dialogue
China’s plea for peaceful consultation remains unyielding even as French President Emmanuel Macron has pressured President Xi Jinping to leverage his influence over Putin. Macron’s attempt to sway Beijing reflects the desperation of Western nations to avert nuclear disaster.
“Under the current circumstances, all parties should remain calm and exercise restraint, working together through dialogue and consultation to ease tensions and reduce strategic risks,” said Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry.
The call for peace from China highlights a continual assertion of neutrality. However indisputable, claims have surfaced that China, a steadfast ally to Moscow, is a “decisive enabler” of the conflict. The West often criticizes China’s unwillingness to denounce Russia’s aggressive tactics.
Global Response
The international community has strongly condemned Putin’s nuclear decree, with the White House, UK and EU labeling it “irresponsible.” These developments further fuel the global unease surrounding this escalating crisis.
“China’s stance of encouraging all parties to de-escalate the situation and commit to a political resolution of the Ukraine crisis remains unchanged,” Jian said.
This turmoil steers us into precarious territory, compelling countries to navigate diplomatic hurdles to avoid an unthinkable outcome. The insistence on dialogue is a common thread for China amid a chorus of criticism and a climate of distrust.