March 20 marked significant political developments which once again revealed the true goals of the states involved in the Ukrainian war. While Moscow confirmed its readiness to launch the negotiation process, Washington and Brussels declared new military supplies to the Kiev regime.
The United States will provide Ukraine with the new 34th package of military assistance. The new military package will contain ammunition for HIMARS MLRS and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, artillery shells, HARM anti-radar missiles, anti-tank ammunition, motor boats and other military equipment.
“Today, pursuant to a delegation of authority from President Biden, I am authorizing our 34th drawdown of U.S. arms and equipment for Ukraine valued at $350 million,” the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken claimed.
Earlier, the Biden administration rejected any possible cease-fire if Putin or Xi Jinping make such calls during the visit of the Chinese leader to Moscow.
In their turn, EU member-states “have made a historic decision to supply one million artillery shells to Ukraine”, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrel said on Twitter.
“Following my proposal, the member states have agreed to supply one million artillery ammunition over the next 12 months,” Borrel said.
€1 billion was allocated for the immediate shipment of shells, another €1 billion will be spent on joint purchases of shells by EU countries to replenish their stocks. A commission will also be created to “increase production capacity”.
While NATO is preparing the Ukrainian military for a large-scale offensive, escalating the military conflict and getting more and more involved in the fighting, Washington and Brussels will not allow Russian or Chinese diplomacy to stop the bloodshed on the Ukrainian battlefields. On the other hand, the Chinese leader’s ongoing visit to Russia is a clear sign of the upcoming strategic rapprochement of the two countries in response to provocations from the West, which may even influence the course of the war in Ukraine aswell.
On March 20, the three-day state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Russia began. Moscow and Beijing are confident that this visit will give a new impetus to the development of bilateral relations.
The first meeting between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping took place in the representative office in the first building of the Kremlin. Vladimir Putin noted that they intend to discuss all the necessary issues, including the situation in Ukraine.
The Russian authorities have studied China’s ideas for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with his Chinese counterpart. Putin added that Russia is open to the negotiation process. On the anniversary of the special operation in Ukraine, China presented its position on the peaceful settlement of the crisiswhich included 12 points. Putin claimed that Moscow respects Beijing’s ideas.
“We have carefully read your proposals on the settlement of the acute crisis in Ukraine. Of course, we will have the opportunity to discuss these issues. We know that you proceed from the principles of justice and respect for the fundamental provisions of international law and indivisible security for all countries,” Putin said.
On the eve of the Chinese leader’s visit, the Russian president published an article in the Chinese newspaper People’s Daily, where he also explained Russian positions on the possibility of the negotiation process:
“Russia is open to the political and diplomatic resolution of the Ukraine crisis. It was not Russia who broke off the peace talks back in April 2022. The future of the peace process depends solely on the will to engage in a meaningful discussion taking into account current geopolitical realities. Unfortunately, the ultimatum nature of requirements placed on Russia shows that their authors are detached from these realities and lack interest in finding a solution to the situation.”
In his turn, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, assessing China’s proposals, said that there was no “plan” in the listed paragraphs. He called the settlement plan unrealizable if it does not contain a condition for the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine. The Kiev regime also legally prohibited any negotiations with the Russian side.
It is important to recall that on March 18 Zelensky imposed sanctions against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after his visit to Moscow. According to the political course of the Kiev regime, he should also sanction Chinese leader Xi Jinping. However, Zelensky likely lacks the courage for such a step, and he prefers to follow the traditional double standards that he has learned from his Western partners.
