Chinese President Xi Jinping, received at the Kremlin on the eve of the celebrations of May 9, said his support for Russia on Thursday in the face of the “hegemonic” West, while Ukraine accused Moscow of having violated the 3-day break ordered by Putin in the night.
About twenty foreign leaders are expected Friday in Moscow for the great military parade on the Red Square aimed at celebrating the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany, a central element of the patriotic story promoted by Vladimir Putin, which has often drawn historical parallels with the offensive against Ukraine launched in 2022.
It is in this context that the Russian president welcomed Thursday morning at the Kremlin Xi Jinping, who arrived the day before for a three -day visit. The two leaders once again displayed their partnership against the West and the United States in particular.
The Chinese leader thus denounced the “trend” of Westerners to “unilateralism” and “hegemonic harassment”, in the middle of a trade war launched by American president Donald Trump, notably against Beijing.
He praised “mutual political confidence” and “pragmatic cooperation” between Russia and China.
Vladimir Putin assured his side that the two border powers developed their links “in the interest” of their peoples “and not against anyone”. He added that Moscow and Beijing will defend “the” historical truth “on the Second World War, accusing Westerners of wanting to distort it.
Drone attacks
Chinese soldiers and a dozen other countries must take part on Friday in the military parade in Moscow, despite the warnings of kyiv who sees it as “support for the aggressor” Russian.
Ukraine must appear on the menu for bilateral discussions between MM. Putin and XI, according to the Kremlin.
The Russian president ordered his troops on February 24, 2022 to attack Ukraine, triggering a conflict that has caused several tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians since the deaths of two camps. Its army still occupies almost 20% of the Ukrainian territory.
The efforts with a view to an end of hostilities, initiated by Donald Trump after his return to the White House, seem today in the deadlock.
Ukraine insists, under the pressure of Washington, on an unconditional ceasefire 30 days above all to go directly with Russia.
An initiative rejected by Vladimir Putin, which, on the contrary, wants concrete commitments to Russia’s requests before accepting a global stop of clashes.
-The two countries have continued the crossed strikes in recent days. In Russia, hundreds of flights have been canceled or delayed since Tuesday following attacks by Ukrainian drones.
The Kremlin assured to take “all necessary measures” to ensure the safety of celebrations, including by limiting internet access.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is casting the military parade scheduled for Friday in Moscow. “It will be a parade of cynicism” and “of lies”, he denounced Thursday.
“Nothing has changed”
Despite the entry into force on the night of the truce announced by Vladimir Putin until Saturday, the Ukrainian Air Force has already accused Moscow of having violated it by “launching guided air bombs (…) in the Soumy region” (north).
Andriï Kovalenko, spokesperson for the Ukrainian government center responsible for fighting disinformation, argued that this temporary ceasefire was not respected on “the front line to the east and the region of Kharkiv”.
Russia did not respond to the accusations of kyiv but warned this week that its army would respond “immediately” in the event of Ukrainian attacks during these three days.
“That night, nothing has changed,” AFP Andriï told AFP, a 50 -year -old Ukrainian soldier met in Kramatorsk, on the eastern front.
“I do not believe it. There is no hope that (the Russians) hold their words,” abounds Victoria, a 43 -year -old bank employee.
The Ukrainian Air Force, however, said that between 11:00 p.m. (Swiss time) Wednesday and 7:00 am Thursday, “no missile shot or any use of attack drones were reported in Ukrainian airspace”.
Vladimir Putin had already unilaterally decreed, on the occasion of the Pascal weekend in April, a short ceasefire that had led to a drop in intensity of clashes, without being completely respected by both camps.
This article was published automatically. Sources: ATS / AFP
