China Blames US for Russia's Mobilization Order... Russia-Ukraine War Expected to Prolong

China and Russia to Launch Major Military Operations in Ukraine This Winter
Biden: "Will Hold Russia Accountable for Atrocities and War Crimes"

[Asia Economy Senior Reporter Cho Young-shin] Chinese state media blamed the West, including the United States, for Russia's mobilization order and criticized the U.S. political sphere. They also stated that the mobilization order signifies Russia's intention to control the new Russian territories such as Donetsk, and predicted that this will prolong the Russia-Ukraine war.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The state-run Global Times reported on the 22nd that Russia abruptly issued the mobilization order ahead of the referendum scheduled from the 23rd to the 27th in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions regarding joining the Russian Federation, and said the Russia-Ukraine war will intensify further.

President Vladimir Putin signed the military mobilization order the day before, stating that all means will be mobilized to protect Russia. This is the first time Russia has issued a military mobilization order since World War II.

The Global Times claimed that the mobilization order shows Russia's firm determination to achieve its goals in Ukraine and predicted that the confrontation between pro-Russian and anti-Russian forces within Ukraine will become more acute.

Zhao Huilong, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said, "The possibility of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine has become very low due to the mobilization order," and predicted that the confrontation between the two sides will be prolonged and the combat zones will expand.

Wang Xiaoqian, a researcher at the Academy of Social Sciences, explained, "It appears that the practical control of the new Russian territories is Russia's goal," adding, "The new Russian territories are regions that were under Russian and Soviet rule for over 250 years." He further listed Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, Kharkiv, and Kirovohrad as the new Russian territories.

The Global Times, citing experts, forecasted that Russia will launch large-scale military operations this winter. It explained that when the ground freezes in winter, it becomes easier for Russia's mechanized units to conduct military operations.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Additionally, the Global Times analyzed that the sharp increase in energy demand such as natural gas in Europe during winter makes it difficult for European countries to support Ukraine, which is advantageous for Russia. The media also claimed that the relationship between Russia and Ukraine cannot return to the past and placed all responsibility on the West, including the United States, which supplied weapons to Ukraine.

Chinese military expert Song Zhongping diagnosed, "The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has turned into a confrontation between Russia and the Western camp as NATO and other U.S. allies have supplied weapons to Ukraine."

While Chinese military and security experts supported Russia, they expressed skepticism about Russia's use of tactical nuclear weapons. The Global Times reported that Russia's use of tactical nuclear weapons is unlikely because it could severely worsen international public opinion. It also added that the West, including the United States, should not provoke a crisis by suggesting that Russia might use nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that U.S. President Joe Biden condemned Russia, which invaded Ukraine, during his speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on the 21st (local time).

SCMP said that President Biden spent most of his speech addressing Russia's war crimes and stated that he is working closely with allies to hold Russia accountable for its atrocities and war crimes.

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