USA (EU) believes that China should establish contact with Ukraine in addition to Russia in order to consider itself a serious mediator in the war Russia’s aggression against its neighbor was announced this Thursday in an interview with EFE by US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith.
“Any country that wants to play some kind of mediating role in this war clearly needs to get in touch with both sides. And, unfortunately, it looks like China is only interested in negotiating with the aggressor,” Smith said, adding that for these reasons, “it’s hard to take these peace efforts seriously.”
The US ambassador analyzed the support being given by Ukraine’s allies to defend against Moscow’s invasion and considered that the war could end “today”. if Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted it.
Photo: Reuters
“We cannot predict exactly when this war will end (…) One person can end it today, literally.”but Putin “unfortunately showed no interest in negotiations.”
Smith acknowledged that there are many proposals for peace talks, but while the 10 points raised by Kiev represent a “very smart” plan that has received support from the G7 and many NATO allies, China’s plan is “less interesting.” According to him, the recognition of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of countries is recognized.
“But besides that, We don’t see the Chinese actually taking constructive or pragmatic steps to meet both Ukrainians and Russians. At the moment they communicate only with Russians. And they did not demand the withdrawal of Russian troops, which is the beginning of any peace plan, since Russia is the aggressor and Russia started this war,” he added.
In any case, he hoped that “there will be some negotiations in the not too distant future”: “Ultimately, at some point, we will need Ukrainians and Russians to meet to sit down at the negotiating table and work for peace.” , – he said. announced.
According to Smith, although last year “We have not seen evidence” that China is supplying weapons to Russia, it has provided “great political support”, is part of the UN.
“We believe that there is a clear possibility that China will reconsider its decision not to provide material support to Russia,” he said, despite the fact that the US “warned” Beijing of the “dangers and risks associated with this,” and that “ there would be consequences.”
Continue in the same spirit
The US ambassador insisted that “time is of the essence” in getting the weapons and ammunition promised by his partners to Ukrainian forces so they are ready to attack in the coming weeks.
“A lot of equipment has already arrived that you can use on the battlefield. But we will keep this pace and keep moving as fast as we can,” he told EFE.
Following an agreement at the EU level to increase ammunition production and place joint orders with industry, Smith felt that “if the Europeans find that they can produce and quickly deliver to the Ukrainians, that would be great,” but if problems arise, he assured that the United States “is ready help them if they open it (their agreement) to non-EU countries.”
“But we welcome this initiative in the European Union. We think it’s a brilliant idea to put real resources on the table,” he said.
Summit in Lithuania
Photo: Reuters
The ambassador expressed hope that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would be able to attend the next Allied Leaders’ Summit in Vilnius in July to talk about the “evolution of relations” between NATO and his country.
At the summit, they hope to give the green light to a new power model with regional plans, a new command and control structure. and a greater reserve of forces in case of various unforeseen circumstances, he noted.
Except, Allies will announce a new defense spending commitment that should take investment of 2% of their GDP as a base, not a ceiling, he explained, and look forward to welcoming Finland and Sweden as full members once Turkey and Hungary complete their ratification.
The leaders will also have to choose a replacement for Jens Stoltenberg as the organization’s general secretary, whose mandate is being lengthened.
“For 74 years of existence NATO there was not a single female general secretary. So there’s a chance that the Alliance will choose a woman, but we don’t know. Of course, we are going to study all the candidates, ”Smith concluded.
(EFE)
Source: Aristegui Noticias
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