Ukrainian artillery attacks in Russian-controlled regions killed seven people as the struggle for Bakhmut, a symbol of Kyiv’s defiance of Moscow, continued.
French President Emmanuel Macron asked China leader Xi Jinping to convince Russia to stop Europe’s most deadly conflict since World War Two. However, a top Russian official said there was little hope of peace negotiations this year.
After meeting with Macron and EU leader Ursula von der Leyen in Beijing on Thursday, Xi said he hoped Russia and Ukraine could negotiate quickly and urged all nations against deploying nuclear weapons.
Xi informed Von der Leyen that he would talk to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy when “conditions and timing are perfect,” but he did not.
China and Russia have a “no boundaries” cooperation, and Xi wants to mediate the Ukraine issue. However, The West has mostly ignored China’s 12-point peace plan since Beijing has not condemned Russia for invading its sovereign neighbor.
Macron informed Xi that “Russian aggression in Ukraine has inflicted a blow to stability” before their meeting.
“I know I can depend on you to bring Russia to reason and everyone back to the negotiation table,” Macron added.
On Thursday, Dmitry Suslov, a Putin aide, told Italy’s Corriere della Sera that there was “zero” likelihood of war-ending negotiations in 2023.
Putin said Russia’s “special military operation” was vital to defeat Ukraine Fascists and to safeguard Russia from the West. However, Ukraine and its allies term it an unprovoked conquest.
War has killed thousands, destroyed cities, displaced millions, and destabilized the global economy.
Tass said Thursday that mortars hit a car park in Russia-controlled Donetsk, killing four people. RIA reported three deaths in Lysychansk bus stop bombings northeast of Donetsk.
Kherson’s governor reported seven injured by Russian bombardment.
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