China's Willingness to Mediate Between Russia and Ukraine vs. US Warning of Support for Russia

Differences in Perspectives Emerge at Rome Summit, Both Countries Praise Substantive Communication
North Korean Nuclear, Iranian Nuclear, Afghanistan, and Taiwan Issues Also Discussed

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin, New York=Special Correspondent Jo Seul-gi] China claimed at the highest-level diplomatic talks between the U.S. and China that the responsibility for Russia's invasion of Ukraine lies with the United States. At the same time, China conveyed to the U.S. side its intention to mediate, stating that it does not want the Russia-Ukraine situation to worsen.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the other hand, the U.S. side claimed that while substantive discussions on the Russia-Ukraine invasion took place with China, it clearly expressed concerns about China's support for Russia. The emphasis of this meeting appears to differ between the two sides, indicating that there are still differing perspectives between the U.S. and China.

The state-run Xinhua News Agency reported on the 14th (local time) that Yang Jiechi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China responsible for foreign affairs, and Jake Sullivan, U.S. White House National Security Advisor, held a "one-on-one meeting" in Rome, Italy.

Their meeting was the first in five months since the early October talks in Zurich, Switzerland last year, drawing international attention on what solutions might be discussed regarding Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Notably, this meeting took place amid recent reports that China has expressed willingness to provide military and economic support to Russia. Meanwhile, voices are emerging calling for Xi Jinping, President of China, who has a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, to act as a mediator.

During the meeting, which lasted a full seven hours, Yang Jiechi stated, "China has always insisted on respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and adhering to the principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter," and expressed China's position to the U.S. side that the international community should support peace talks between Russia and Ukraine and help achieve substantive results as soon as possible, according to Xinhua News Agency.

Yang Jiechi also conveyed China's official stance to the U.S. side, stating, "We firmly oppose all words and actions that distort and slander China's position." His remarks imply that China needs a legitimate basis to uphold its prestige as a mediator. This can be interpreted as meaning that instead of the U.S. cornering China in the international community, China should be given face to act as a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine situation.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Regarding this meeting, the state-run Global Times emphasized that China is the only country capable of dialogue with Russia and that China is a country that can engage in talks on equal footing with the U.S. It also predicted that the U.S. side would request China to play the role of mediator in the Russia-Ukraine war during this meeting.

Lu Xiang, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, argued that "the common concern of both countries in this meeting is the Russia-Ukraine war," and that the core of this war stems from the strategic confrontation between Russia and the U.S. (NATO). He further emphasized that the U.S. should adopt a more rational perspective regarding bilateral relations and the world order.

The U.S. described the outcome of the meeting as having "substantive discussions," but focused on warning about China's support for Russia.

Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, said, "We are closely monitoring the full range of support China may provide to Russia, whether material, economic, or financial," warning, "Any support would be a significant concern for us." He added that supporting Russia would affect China's relations worldwide, including with U.S. allies and partners in Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. Advisor Sullivan warned that if China supplies military equipment to Russia, it would be a greater historic mistake and a turning point in global politics.

Meanwhile, Chinese media reported that common international concerns such as North Korea's nuclear issue, Iran's nuclear issue, Afghanistan, and the Taiwan issue were also raised at the meeting table.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.