During his internationally criticized visit to Moscow, China's head of state and party leader Xi Jinping supported Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Xi struck new deals with Putin yesterday. China recently presented itself as a potential neutral mediator in the war in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy recalled his army's first successes after the war began a year ago. At the same time he was confident of new territory reconquests. The US gave a rough schedule for the delivery of main battle tank supplies to the attacked country.
Putin and Xi sign strategy agreement
At a state ceremony in the Kremlin, Putin and Xi Jinping reaffirmed their strategic partnership with new agreements. Two agreements have been signed on the partnership and on strategic cooperation between the neighbors until 2030, Putin said at a joint appearance. Xi praised the "constructive talks" with Putin and spoke of expanding trade and economic cooperation with Russia.
The negotiations also dealt with the war in Ukraine. Putin praised China's Ukraine paper, which was received with skepticism by many: "We find that many of the positions of the peace plan put forward by China are in line with the Russian approaches and can be taken as a basis for a peaceful solution as soon as the West and Kiev are ready ."
China has presented a so-called peace plan for Ukraine and repeatedly emphasizes its supposedly neutral position. In fact, the Asian country has never condemned its ally Russia for invading Ukraine. The three-day visit from Beijing was also convenient for Putin because it allowed him to show that he is not internationally isolated - despite the arrest warrant that the International Criminal Court in The Hague recently issued against him.
Baerbock expresses disappointment about Xi's trip to Moscow
Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock expressed disappointment at Xi's visit to Moscow. The visit would have been "an opportunity for China to live up to its responsibility and role as a permanent member of the Security Council," said the Green politician on the fringes of the Green Party's parliamentary group retreat in Weimar.
NATO Secretary General warns China
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warns China against arms deliveries to Russia. Such a move would mean supporting and prolonging an illegal war, the Norwegian said in Brussels. So far, no evidence has been seen that China is supplying arms to Russia, but there are indications that Russia has requested arms and that Beijing is considering such a move.
USA wants to deliver Abrams tanks by autumn
The United States wants to deliver the already promised Abrams tanks to Ukraine by the fall. US Department of Defense spokesman Pat Ryder said in Washington that the department had decided to provide Kiev with the M1A1 Abrams tank variant - instead of the newer M1A2 variant. This will make it possible to significantly reduce delivery times and send tanks to Ukraine by autumn.
Selenskyj remembers the first successes after the beginning of the war
Meanwhile, Selenskyj recalled the first successes of his army a year ago. On March 21, 2022, the battle for the village of Moschchun, not far from the capital Kiev, was won, he said in his evening video address. "This was our state's first major step toward victory in this war."
"We will come to the same result with other offensive actions," said Zelenskyj confidently, also with a view to the currently hard-fought Donbass in eastern Ukraine. The Ukrainian flag will also fly again on the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea, which Moscow illegally annexed in 2014.
"Army Discredit" Investigation
Russia's investigative committee has launched criminal proceedings against the head of the human rights center at Memorial, Oleg Orlov, for allegedly "repeatedly discrediting the army". This was reported by the organization Memorial, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, on its Telegram channel. The maximum penalty for this in Russia was recently increased to 15 years in prison. In the morning, police officers searched the home of Orlov and other leading members of Memorial.
What is important today
After his meeting with Kremlin chief Putin in Moscow, China's head of state and party head Xi wants to start his journey home today. Nothing was initially known about possible public appointments on the last day of his trip.
In Sweden, the parliament wants to vote on the country's NATO membership. A majority of MPs are expected to agree. However, there are still a few things standing in the way of Sweden joining NATO, even after the Swedish parliament has voted yes. All 30 current NATO members must ratify admission to the alliance. However, Hungary and Turkey have not yet given the green light. Ankara has long blocked Sweden's accession, mainly on the grounds that Sweden is not taking sufficient action against terrorist organizations.
