The day was particularly marked by the surprise visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to kyiv.
New hands extended to kyiv. Tuesday, March 21 was marked by the visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to kyiv (Ukraine). But also by the aid plan concluded by the country with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), amounting to 15.6 billion dollars. This plan should allow “to support gradual economic recovery while creating the conditions for long-term growth in a context of post-conflict reconstruction and on the way to accession to the European Union”the IMF said in a statement.
“Productive” talks between Kyiv and Tokyo
Volodymyr Zelensky rejoiced in talks “productive” with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, on a surprise visit to kyiv and Boutcha. The Ukrainian President also praised the “very concrete desire” from Tokyo from “protect” Ukraine vs. “Russian Terror”.
“Given Japan’s power, its leadership in Asia for the defense of peace and the rules-based international order, and its responsibility as the (rotating) chair of the G7, today’s discussions can have a global result”he estimated in his daily video message.
Moscow and Beijing celebrate their “special” relationship with Westerners
For their part, the Russian and Chinese leaders have continued their rapprochement, initiated on Monday with Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow. Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping thus praised the entry into a “new era” of their relationship “special” against Westerners. Indeed, the Russian president cautiously supports the Chinese plan to settle the conflict in Ukraine, while accusing kyiv of rejecting it. The Chinese initiative, which advocates peace talks, has elements that can “to serve as a basis for a peaceful settlement (of the conflict), when they are ready for it in the West and in kyiv”launched Vladimir Putin.
“However, we do not currently observe such a disposition on their side”he added, alongside his Chinese counterpart who, for his part, stressed that Beijing was “for peace and dialogue” in Ukraine. In kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had “guest” China to be part of the settlement of the conflict and “wait for his response”adding “receiving signals but nothing concrete”.
Washington criticizes Beijing’s peace plan
It is the most direct American criticism, to date, of the Chinese mediation proposal in the conflict. “We cannot reasonably consider that China is impartial” regarding Ukraine,” said John Kirby, spokesman for the White House National Security Council. beijing “did not condemn” the russian invasion, “did not stop buying Russian oil” he said, accusing Beijing of “spread Russian propaganda”.
“The world should not be fooled by any tactical decision by Russia, backed by China or any other country, to freeze the conflict on its own terms,” To launched a little earlier US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken.