Xi and Putin call for a permanent settlement to the war in Ukraine

Russia and China called for a permanent settlement to the Russian war in Ukraine in a joint statement issued on Wednesday, after talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing.

One of the summit documents stated, “The two sides support all efforts that contribute to establishing a lasting and long-term peace,” and that a solution must be reached through negotiations and dialogue.

The statement did not include China’s call on Russia to end the all-out war it launched in February 2022. But it included Russia’s praise of Beijing’s “objective and impartial position” regarding the conflict in Ukraine.

The document also repeated a phrase often used by Moscow referring to eliminating “the root causes of the Ukraine crisis,” which Russia says includes Kiev’s ambition to join NATO.

Putin and Xi also agreed to deepen military cooperation, including expanding joint military exercises as well as air and sea patrols. They also pledged to jointly respond to “various challenges and threats.”