The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to heat up, Zelensky went to the United States for help, and Putin hopes that China will mediate. In response, the Chinese side made three remarks. More than a month after the Ukrainian army entered Kursk, what are the new developments in the situation between Russia and Ukraine? What are the "variables" that will influence the course of this global conflict?
On September 8, local time, the Russian Ministry of Defense issued a war report saying that in the past day, the Russian army took control of the settlement of Novogorodovka in the Donetsk region and destroyed Ukrainian tanks, armored vehicles and other weapons and equipment. In the Kursk direction, the Russian army has also successfully thwarted five attacks launched by the Ukrainian commandos in the direction of several settlements, and the situation is developing in favor of the Russian army.
Although in the more than two years since the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, most of the reports on the situation on the front line between the two sides of the exchange of fire are far apart, it is undeniable that the war reports released by both sides have revealed a message, that is, the defense line in eastern Ukraine is being broken through by the Russian army little by little. According to the report, due to the mobilization of a large number of elite troops to attack Kursk, the Ukrainian army remaining on the Pokrovsk defense line has been "unable to resist" the offensive of the Russian army.
Today, the Ukrainian army on the eastern defense line is mired in the predicament caused by lack of equipment and manpower. CNN published an article saying that desertion and disobedience to orders are becoming a fairly common problem for the Ukrainian army. Especially in the context of the beginning of the collapse of the defense line in eastern Ukraine and the further acceleration of the advance of the Russian army, this situation is becoming more and more serious. In fact, in the first four months of 2024 alone, Ukraine prosecutors opened criminal proceedings against nearly 19,000 soldiers who left their posts without permission.
According to Russia's "Izvestia" reported on the 9th, in order to reverse the unfavorable situation of the Ukrainian army on the front line, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will attend the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly and meet with United States President Biden during the conference to seek more assistance. According to the report, one of the core goals of Zelensky's visit is to persuade the United States to relax the ban and allow the Ukrainian army to use Western-aided weapons to deeply attack targets in Russia.
Considering that the United States election has entered a white-hot stage, it has to be said that this United Nations General Assembly may be Zelensky's "last chance" to get more political, economic, and military support from Biden. While Zelensky went to the United States to "ask for help", Moscow also had a "new move", that is, during the BRICS Security Congress, he called on China, India and Brazil to mediate and push Russia and Ukraine to return to the negotiating table as soon as possible.
In fact, as early as a few days ago at the 9th Eastern Economic Forum, Russia President Vladimir Putin expressed this view to the outside world. Putin pointed out that Russia has never refused negotiations, and it is the Ukraine side that really violates and tears up the agreement, and Russia hopes that China, India, and Brazil, the three potential mediators, will continue to play the role of persuading and promoting peace talks and promote the early cooling of the conflict situation.
Judging from the above statement, Russia's attitude is still somewhat softened compared with the beginning of the Ukrainian army's cross-border attack on Russia. In addition, China, India, and Pakistan have always stood on the side of promoting a ceasefire and took the initiative to seek "help" from China, which also shows Russia's sincerity in ceasefire and cessation of hostilities. So, how does China view this matter?
At the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held on September 10, spokesperson Mao Ning gave China's answer in three sentences. Mao Ning pointed out that on the Ukraine issue, China's position is consistent and very clear. China has always been committed to promoting peace talks and supports all efforts conducive to peace. In the future, China is willing to continue to work with the international community to accumulate conditions for a political settlement of the crisis and play a constructive role in achieving peace. It can be seen that China has always been committed to contributing to the early resolution of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and only in this way can a more serious humanitarian crisis be averted.