US Vice President Kamala Harris has warned China not to help Russia militarily. Any move by China in this direction would “reward aggression, continue killing and further undermine a rules-based order,” she said at the Munich security conference on Saturday.
Relations between Moscow and Beijing have strengthened since the Russian attack. If Russia succeeds in its war in Ukraine, other authoritarian countries in the world may feel emboldened, she added.
Harris accused Russia of human rights abuses
In her speech, Harris accused Russia of massive human rights violations in Ukraine. This included murders, rapes and the abduction of Ukrainian children to Russia. “This is barbaric and inhuman,” she said.
Harris stressed that the US would ensure that Russian perpetrators of war crimes in Ukraine are held accountable. “Russia has committed crimes against humanity,” she said. “We cannot live in a world where countries do not comply with rules and standards.
China announced peace initiative
Meanwhile, China has announced its own initiative to end Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. “We’re going to come up with something. Namely, China’s position on the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis,” China’s top foreign policy chief Wang Yi said Saturday at the Munich security conference, according to the official translation. “We will stand firm on the side of peace and dialogue.”
Wang also criticized forces that, from his point of view, pursue geopolitical interests and give less importance to the suffering of the people of Ukraine. Whether this is a criticism of Western states’ military support for Ukraine remained unclear, just as he avoided a precise assessment of Russia’s responsibility. For a safer world, “the principles of the UN Charter are something we should uphold,” Wang said. The chaos and conflict that currently plagues the world have been provoked because the principles of the UN Charter are not being adhered to.
Ukraine ruled out territorial losses
After announcing a Chinese peace plan, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba ruled out any loss of territory for his country. It is also in Ukraine’s interest for China to play a role in seeking peace, but Ukraine’s territorial integrity is non-negotiable, Kuleba told reporters on Saturday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. “There are no compromises, not on the smallest square meter.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also ruled out any transfer of territory to Russia. But: it is good if China “sees a responsibility to stand up for world peace,” the green politician told journalists in Munich on Saturday. When asked what opportunities she gave such a Chinese peace push, Baerbock replied, “When you work for peace all year round, you must seize every opportunity for peace.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
