US Rejects Chinese Cease-Fire Proposal for Ukraine, Citing Concerns over Russia’s Gains on the Ground

The White House has opposed a proposal from China for a truce in Ukraine, ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping‘s meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow next week.

The US National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, John Kirby, voiced concerns that a ceasefire would ratify Russia’s gains on the ground and would not serve Ukraine’s interest. He also stated that it would violate the U.N. Charter since it would take away from the recognition that Russia is illegally inside Ukraine.

Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautiously welcomed Beijing’s involvement, he stated that success would depend on actions and not words.