As Ukraine and Russia celebrate the first anniversary of the war on the 24th, the international community’s attention is drawn to the steps of the leaders of the United States, China, and Russia.
The movements and remarks of the leaders of major countries surrounding Ukraine this week are expected to provide clues to gauge whether the war will enter a more protracted phase than now.
In particular, the United States is trying to solidify its intention to support Ukraine through President Joe Biden’s visit to Poland, and Russia and China are taking steps to get closer to each other by setting up a sharper confrontation with the West.
◇France, Italy, Germany rough king, last visit to Russia
Wang Yi, a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and head of the Central Committee for Foreign Affairs, China’s diplomatic commander, is expected to arrive in Moscow on the 20th (local time). Moscow is King’s last European tour. He toured Europe, emphasizing the message that China, after three years of quarantine isolation, is committed to peace in Ukraine and strengthens diplomacy with the outside world.
Director Wang’s choice of Russia as his last stop could mean that he puts more importance on relations with Russia than before, amid growing hostility with the West, including the US, due to the “reconnaissance balloon” incident and reorganization of the geopolitical order due to the war in Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) interpreted it.
Some analyze that Chief Wang’s visit to Russia is a preparatory work for Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Russia. The WSJ, citing a source familiar with the matter, said that President Xi has a good personal relationship with President Putin and that whenever they meet, they talk about history and philosophy.
Temur Umarov, a researcher at the Carnegie Foundation for International Peace, said, “I would call the relationship between the two people a ‘strategic bromance’.” The idea that the world order is unfair to them, the idea that America always has a bigger say, the idea that democracy is a very broad concept that basically can express anything.”
In this situation, the United States constantly raises suspicions that China is trying to support Russia in the war in Ukraine. U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blincoln appeared on CBS’Face the Nation’ last weekend and said, “We have information that China is considering (lethal weapon) aid to Ukraine.” will,” he warned.
Signs that the two countries are close militarily have appeared several times recently. Last week, China conducted joint maritime exercises with Russia and South Africa in the Indian Ocean.
Economically, Russia is highly dependent on China. China is a key supplier of semiconductors and other materials that Russia needs to make weapons and equipment for war. However, the WSJ predicted that Russia’s relationship with China could not completely offset the investment and technology it lost through sanctions.
◇ On the same day, Putin gave a State of the Union speech and Biden gave a speech in Poland on the 1st anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
Ahead of the first anniversary of the war in Ukraine, President Joe Biden and President Vladimir Putin will each give speeches at different locations the next day.
On the 21st, President Biden visits Poland, a country bordering Ukraine and on the eastern front of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
He also foretold war-related speeches. The White House plans to announce its will to support Ukraine in the future as President Biden gives a speech in Warsaw on how the United States has united the world to support the freedom and democracy of the Ukrainian people.
Public attention is also focused on what kind of military support President Biden will promise to Ukraine during his visit to Poland.
The US has consistently provided military aid to Ukraine since the beginning of the war, but as of the 19th of last month, the amount of aid reached 27.5 billion dollars, or 36 trillion won in Korean currency. In particular, from the beginning of the war, the US has emphasized the principle that it will not stop supporting Ukraine until the end of the war.
On the same day, President Putin will give a State of the Union address at the Federal Assembly, a joint parliament of both houses of parliament. Russian media reports that his speech will focus on “special military operations,” referring to the Laina War, as well as economic and social issues.
The last time Putin gave a State of the Union address was in April 2021, before the war, and last year was not held due to the war in Ukraine.
Russian Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “Putin will focus on the current situation, including the economic situation, social issues and Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine.”
In the midst of this, there is a prospect that President Putin will launch another large-scale missile attack in Ukraine on the occasion of his State of the Union address and the first anniversary of the war.
Mikhailo Podolyak, adviser to the Office of the President of Ukraine, predicted that “Russia will launch a missile attack over the 21st-24th,” and Oleksi Danilo, Secretary of the State Security and Defense Committee of Ukraine, said that Russia is preparing for a large-scale attack on the 23rd-24th. said.
◇ On the day of the first anniversary of Xi Jinping, it seems that he will give a ‘peace speech’… Prospects for peace on both sides
On the first anniversary of the war, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s peace speech is expected to be held.
Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani appeared on Italian radio station RAI and said that he had heard from Director Wang that President Xi would give a peace speech on the 24th. However, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has yet to confirm President Xi’s schedule.
Reuters predicted that if Xi gives a speech, he will urge peace on both sides as he has done so far, but avoid criticizing Russia, his ally.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.