However, Russia stuck to its positions, while Kiev, on the other hand, categorically refused all talks with Kremlin boss Vladimir Putin. A Chinese peace initiative appears to have failed largely unsuccessfully.
After the US, the EU countries also launched another package of sanctions against Russia on Friday evening. Among other things, it provides for additional trade restrictions, which should apply in particular to industrial goods that Russian industry cannot source from third countries such as China. It is the tenth package of sanctions since February last year. As with previous sanctions packages, the list of people who are no longer allowed to enter the EU and whose assets in the EU must be frozen is also added. This targets propagandists, military commanders and political leaders.
“Submission is not peace”: dispute in the UN Security Council
In a debate marked by attacks, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on the UN Security Council to oppose Russian President Putin. “This war is not the war of the Russian people. This war is Putin’s war,” the Greens politician said Friday at a special session in New York on the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “The Russian president is risking the future of his own country.” A just peace is also in the interest of the Russian people.
Russia’s ambassador to the UN, Wassili Nebensya, accused supporters of western Ukraine – including Germany – of trying to destroy Russia. The word “peace” is used insincerely, Moscow’s representative to the United Nations said: “What is meant is a surrender by Russia, which ideally inflicts a strategic defeat on Russia, followed by the dissolution of the country and the reorganization of the territories .”
Despite the difficult situation on the battlefield, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba was confident in victory: “Putin will lose much sooner than he thinks,” he told the UN Security Council. Kuleba again called for the creation of a special tribunal with special jurisdiction over the crime of aggressive war, citing the post-World War II Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal as a model.
At the end of her speech, Baerbock stressed, “What we can do is stand up for a world where peace means peace.” One should not “ignore who is the attacker and who is the victim,” says Baerbock. “Because submission is not peace.”
China’s position paper met with skepticism
The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution by a large majority on Thursday calling on Russia to withdraw from Ukraine. Just hours later, in a first position paper on the war, China called for a ceasefire and the early resumption of negotiations. However, the initiative was met with great skepticism internationally and was often judged to be one-sided in favor of Russia. The newspaper does not ask Russia to leave occupied Ukrainian territory. Ukraine rejected the plan.
“China has a special responsibility as a permanent member of the Security Council,” Baerbock said on the sidelines of the session of the most powerful UN body. “It could have used its influence over Russia to convince it of this plan.”
Moscow welcomes China’s advance – rejection in Kiev
Russia, on the other hand, reacted positively to the advance from Beijing. “We welcome the sincere desire of our Chinese friends to help resolve the conflict in Ukraine through peaceful means,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. “We share Beijing’s considerations.” Russia is open to a political-diplomatic solution. The basic requirement, however, is the end of Western arms supplies to Ukraine, the cessation of all hostilities and the return of Ukraine to a neutral, non-aligned status. In addition, the “new territorial realities” – ie the illegal annexation of several Ukrainian territories by Russia – should be recognized.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, on the other hand, sees no real peace plan in the paper. But in any case, it is “not bad” that China – so far not even ready to condemn Russia’s offensive war – is starting to talk about Ukraine. It is important that the territorial integrity of states and nuclear safety are addressed. “There are thoughts that I don’t agree with, that the whole world doesn’t agree with,” Zelenskyy said of the document. “But it’s still something.”
Zelenskyj: No talks with Putin – possible to meet Xi
Zelenskyj also reiterated his strict no to a meeting with Kremlin chief Putin. He was responding to an action by Turkish President Recep Tayyin Erdogan, who wanted to persuade Putin to negotiate a “fair peace” through a telephone conversation. Zelenskyj said that before the war broke out, Erdogan suggested bringing Putin to the negotiating table to avoid a major war. “But he couldn’t.” And now? “Now we can’t.”
Zelenskyi, however, held out the prospect of meeting with Chinese head of state Xi Jinping. “I think this will be beneficial for our countries and for global security,” he said. “It’s not just about war. It’s about us being states interested in maintaining economic relations.”
Ukrainian Prime Minister poses with tanks from Poland
Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Schmyhal published a series of photos on Telegram showing him handing over the first four Leopard main battle tanks from Poland with Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki. “A year ago, tanks went to Ukraine to deprive Ukrainians of their freedom,” Shmyhal wrote. “Today, tanks also entered Ukraine, but to protect freedom.”
As part of an international coalition, Poland wants to hand over a total of 14 Leopard A2 tanks to the neighboring country. During a visit to Kiev on Friday, Morawiecki also announced the imminent delivery of 60 PT-91 main battle tanks, which he had already committed to in January. The PT-91 Twardy is a Polish development and modernization of the Soviet T-72.
What will the day bring?
After commemorating the first anniversary of the Russian attack on Ukraine, left-wing politician Sahra Wagenknecht and feminist Alice Schwarzer called for a rally on Saturday (2 p.m.) at the Brandenburg Gate. The motto is “Revolt for Peace”.
(SDA)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
