The day was marked by the closing of the summit between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. During a state dinner, the two presidents toasted to the prosperity of their peoples. The two men also reached an agreement on the gigantic Force of Siberia2 gas pipeline project, symbol of Moscow’s desire to redirect its economy towards Asia in the face of international sanctions.
The peace plan proposed by China was at the center of the discussions, even if no decision emerged from this bilateral meeting. “We believe that many points of the peace plan proposed by China […] can serve as a basis for a peaceful (conflict) settlement“Commented Vladimir Putin. He said, however, that he saw no “willingness” from kyiv and the West to find a way out on the basis of the Chinese plan.
In a joint statement, the two men said they were “very concerned” regarding “the growing strengthening of ties between NATO and the countries” of Asia-Pacific.
The NATO boss said on Tuesday that China should speak directly to Ukraine. Xi must dialogue “directly” with Zelensky, believes Jens Stoltenberg.
In Ukraine, the Japanese Prime Minister made a surprise visit, notably to Bouchra (photo). “As I set foot in Boutcha today and witness all the brutality that has taken place there, I feel a strong sense of outrage.“, said Fumio Kishida, adding that “the whole world is shocked” by these atrocities.
The IMF has validated the implementation of an aid plan for a total amount of 15.6 billion dollars. The plan should allow “support gradual economic recovery while creating the conditions for long-term growth in a context of post-conflict reconstruction and on the way to accession to the European Union“.
At the same time, Russian diplomacy is trying to smooth things over on theregarding children”brought by force to Russia” and the arrest warrant issued by the ICC once morest Putin. Permanent Representative of Russia to the UN Vasily Nebenzya reiterated intends to return the children who have been evacuated from the conflict zone to Ukraine when conditions there are safe enough for this. “We wanted to spare them from the danger that military activities might represent“, he clarified.
On the various fronts, fighting continues but Russian advances are minimal. In question, the growing tensions within the Kremlin forces themselves. The state army has to deal with an increasingly arrogant Wagner private militia in the field whose methods do not quite fit the military ideal, as many soldiers show on social networks. To ensure success, the “executives” of Wagner do not hesitate to sacrifice fighters in order to locate the Ukrainian positions. Because inside Wagner itself, there would be a two-speed army. The experienced mercenaries, precious, and used as special forces, and then the others, the cannon fodder, the habitual criminals, the recruited to make numbers, to go to the front line, in the company of army conscripts Russian.
