US expresses 'hope' Xi will press Putin to 'cease bombing' Ukraine

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The White House said Monday it hopes Chinese President Xi Jinping will use an ongoing visit to Russia to press Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt his offensive against Ukraine.

National Seucrity Council spokesperson John Kirby told reporters at the White House that the Biden administration enourages Xi "to press President Putin directly on the need to respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

"We hope the President Xi will press President Putin to cease bombing Ukrainian cities, hospitals and schools to help war crimes and atrocities and to withdrawal his troops," he said. "But we are concerned that instead, China will reiterate calls for a ceasefire that leaves Russian forces inside Ukraine sovereign territory."

Xi, 69, earlier Monday began a three-day visit to Russia in what Moscow and Beijing billed as an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral ties that have grown in the wake of Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Speaking in the Russian capital, Xi said the countries will work together to "uphold true multilateralism, promote a multi-polar world and greater democracy in international relations, and help make global governance more just and equitable.”

“The growth of China-Russia relations has not only brought tangible benefits to the two peoples, but also made important contributions to the development and progress of the world,” the Chinese president said.

All eyes are on Xi’s meetings with Putin as Moscow’s war on Kyiv has entered its second year.

Last month, the Chinese Foreign Ministry released a statement listing Beijing’s position on a political settlement to the war in Ukraine, where 12 points were listed, including respecting the sovereignty of all countries, ceasing hostilities, resuming peace talks, and resolving the humanitarian crisis in the region.

The plan also calls for keeping nuclear power plants safe, facilitating grain exports, and stopping unilateral sanctions, noting that “dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solution to the Ukraine crisis.”