By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Reactions have continued to trail the visit of Chinese President, Xi Jinping to Russia despite Beijing’s repeated assurance that it is neutral in the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, a war that has lasted a year.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had alleged that Xi’s visit suggested that “China feels no responsibility to hold the Kremlin accountable for the atrocities committed in Ukraine.”
“Instead of even condemning them, it would rather provide “diplomatic cover” for Russia to continue to commit those grave crimes,” Blinken said.
Reacting to the allegation, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Tuesday that the United States is in no position to point fingers at China over the war in Ukraine.
Spokesperson Wang Wenbin urged Washington not cling to the Cold War mentality, nor should it push for the protraction and escalation of the conflict.
He said, “China did not create the Ukraine crisis. It is not a party to the crisis and has not provided weapons to either side. The United States is in no position to point fingers at China, still less to shift blame to China.”
Wang said that despite Washington’s claim to prevent war, few of the conflicts and wars that broke out in Europe and around the world have nothing to do with the United States.
Despite Washington’s claim to safeguard peace, it continuously provides weapons to battlefields, while no practical measures are taken by the US side to deliver on its commitment, Wang stated further.
He added the Chinese side has stressed that, on the Ukraine issue, there are growing calls for peace and rationality. Most countries support easing tensions, stand for peace talks, and are against adding fuel to the fire.
