The Chinese administration sees the crisis that emerged with the rebellion of Wagner, a mercenary group founded by Yevgeny Prigojin, as the “internal business” of this country.
In a written statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “This is Russia’s internal business. China, as a friendly neighbor and comprehensive strategic coordination partner of Russia in the new period, supports its national stability, development and prosperity.” expression was used.
The statement came after Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko’s contacts with an unplanned visit to China.
Rudenko met with Foreign Minister China Gang and Deputy Minister Ma Caosu.
It was stated that in the meeting of the Russian diplomat with the China Gang, “international and regional issues of common concern were discussed”.
In the meeting between the delegations, chaired by Rudenko and his counterpart Ma, it was underlined that “in line with the agreement reached by the leaders of the two countries, it is important for the parties to protect their common interests by communicating in a timely manner in an international environment that presents a difficult and complex situation”.
Pointing to the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in maintaining regional peace and stability, the parties stated that they would “strengthen solidarity and cooperation for the healthy and sustainable development of the organization”.
THE WAGNER GROUP UPRISING TO THE RUSSIAN ADMINISTRATION
Yevgeny Prigojin, the founder of the private security company Wagner, accused the Russian army of organizing an attack on Wagner and threatened to respond, Wagner fighters left Ukraine and entered the border Rostov region.
Upon this situation, the Federal Security Service (FSB) opened a criminal case on the charge of “armed riot”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin described Wagner’s rebellion as “treason”.
Prigojin announced that they would go to Moscow, and the Kremlin administration had increased security measures in many parts of the country.
It was reported that Yevgeny Prigojin accepted the proposal of the President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko to de-escalate tensions in Russia yesterday.
Prigojin announced that they understood the responsibility for the shedding of Russian blood and that they would turn their convoys back and return to the field camps according to plan.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitriy Peskov stated that the criminal case against Prigojin would be closed and that the rebel leader would go to Belarus.
CHINA’S RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA AND ITS ATTITUDE TO THE UKRAINE CRISIS
The Russia-Ukraine War, which started at a time when China’s geostrategic rivalry with the USA and regional tensions increased, brought the Beijing administration closer to Moscow, which faces similar challenges with the perception of a “common enemy”.
The joint statement of the leaders of China and Russia, during the meeting of Putin’s visit to China for the Beijing Winter Olympics on February 4, 2022, just before the start of the war, emphasizing that “the friendship between the two countries has no limits”, the Beijing administration is aware of the war that will start soon. It was interpreted as a sign that he was in possession and gave his tacit consent.
Although China did not participate in international sanctions against Russia after the war, it largely complied with the framework of the sanctions so as not to harm its economic relations with the United States and Europe.
On the other hand, Beijing also benefited from the trade that changed direction as the sanctions restricted the exchanges between Europe and Russia, and after the war, it was observed that the trade volume between the two countries increased, especially in the field of energy.
While the US and Europe warned China not to provide weapons support to Russia in the war, Beijing continued its military cooperation with Moscow, including joint military exercises, even though it did not sell weapons directly.
FROM PEACE PROPOSALS TO MEDIATION INITIATIVE
On February 24, the anniversary of the war, China announced a 12-item “attitude document” containing its proposals for a political solution to the crisis, and it was emphasized that a ceasefire should be achieved by gradually reducing tensions.
The ceasefire proposal was not accepted by the United States and the European Union, as well as by Ukraine, who perceived it as an endorsement of the actual situation on the front. The Kiev administration stated that a peace under these conditions would mean “freezing the war”.
Russia also stated that it attaches importance to China’s opinion, but that the necessary conditions for the transition to the path of peace in the solution of the Ukraine issue are not formed in the current conditions.
President Xi called for a political solution to the Ukraine problem during his visit to Moscow on March 20-22, but the emphasis on expanding strategic cooperation between Beijing and Moscow on a global scale was interpreted as a sign that China continues to support Russia.
In his first phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on April 26, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that his country would send his country’s Special Envoy for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui to Ukraine, Russia and other countries to carry out negotiations for a political solution. he had given his role.
Li, who was assigned for this purpose, visited the capitals of Poland, France, Germany, the European Union and Russia during the mediation tour he started with Ukraine on May 15, and made contacts. (AA)