Russia builds pontoon bridge over border?
Chinese diplomats staying put, for now
Tensions are running high and a potential crisis is imminent, so one should be extremely careful about sharing social media posts. With that being said, there are *unconfirmed* reports that Russian forces have constructed a pontoon bridge across the Pripyat river, near the site of the Chernobyl nuclear site.
Let me repeat: this report is unconfirmed, and I’d like to see some independent verification. If this report is confirmed, however, the implications are obvious. Rapid construction of a temporary military bridge over a border is extraordinarily escalatory.
Still, note of caution: this report of a bridge is unconfirmed as of yet.
There were some hints of de-escalation earlier in the day, as Putin suggested a partial withdraw of troops. Still, the vast majority of Russian troops and equipment remain in-place, ready to escalate on short notice. President Biden issued a statement about Ukraine today and said that an invasion remains “distinctly possible.”
The PRC still hasn’t issued evacuation orders in Ukraine yet. What are other entities relevant to Sino-Russian relations doing? The Vietnamese ambassador puts the probability of a war at 1 in a 1000, India has said that citizens “may start considering leaving,” and the ROC is urging its remaining citizens to leave Ukraine. The ROC’s MOFA thinks there are about 25 ROC citizens still in Ukraine, so, using that as a baseline, I’d estimate there are somewhere between 1,500 and 10,000 PRC nationals currently residing in Ukraine. That’s just a guess, however.
I remain pessimistic about prospects for de-escalation. I still believe that Putin is more likely to escalate than not within the next two weeks. I hope to be wrong.
Table of Contents:
All’s Mostly Quiet in the CCP English-Language Press
Evacuation Orders for PRC, India, ROC, and Vietnam?
The Kremlin
Western reactions
1) All’s Mostly Quiet in the CCP English-Language Press
Biden, Putin discuss Ukraine crisis over phone – People’s Daily [English-language]
U.S. President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone conversation Saturday over the situation in Ukraine.
During the call, which lasted for about one hour, the two leaders discussed situation in Ukraine and related security issues, according to White House statement and the Kremlin.
The White House said Biden made it clear to Putin "while the United States remains prepared to engage in diplomacy," it is "equally prepared for other scenarios".
Russia has not received a substantive response from the U.S. on security guarantees, Sputnik reported, quoting Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.
Russia will soon submit its response to the U.S. and NATO on security guarantees, Ushakov said, adding the two leaders agreed to continue contacts.
Direct engagements between the United States and Russia have yielded little substantial progress, with the Kremlin saying the White House failed to address its key security concerns and the Biden administration repeatedly warning Putin's government of severe economic sanctions if it were to invade Ukraine.
The escalation of Russia-Ukraine tensions stoked by the US has raised concerns about potential supply chain disruptions ranging from essential raw materials for semiconductors such as neon, to agricultural products including corn and wheat, of which Ukraine has been a major world exporter.
While the elusive situation in Europe has pushed up oil and other commodity prices and risked further disruption to global semiconductor supplies, which remain tight due to the pandemic and US-initiated trade wars, Chinese companies have started reviewing their supply chains to reduce operational risks.
Ukraine is a major supplier of semiconductor raw material gases, including neon, argon, krypton and xenon. Ukraine supplies nearly 70 percent of the world's neon gas, according to a report that TrendForce, an industry information consulting company, sent to the Global Times on Tuesday.
In the semiconductor lithography process, the process that requires neon gas is mainly DUV exposure for the production of 8 to 12-inch wafers.
Although the proportion of neon gas used in the semiconductor process is not as high as in other industries, it is still a necessary input, experts said.
In terms of foundries, global 8-12-inch wafer production capacity accounts for about 75 percent of the total, according to TrendForce.
While supplies of inert gases such as neon would be reduced in volume in the region, potentially pushing up prices of downstream products including semiconductors, the production lines will not be interrupted to an extent that affects output in the short term, since both wafer factories and gas supply factories have inventories and diversified sources of supplies, according to TrendForce.
Ma Yinchuan, head of the China Industrial Gases Industry Association, told the Global Times on Tuesday that at present, there is not much problem of inadequate neon supply.
In addition to helium, there is no serious shortage of China's inert gases, including neon now, but there will be tight supplies and prices will rise, especially if countries such as Japan and South Korea increase imports of neon from China amid the tensions in Europe, even though the production of neon gas can be improved through government mobilization if it is needed, Ma said.
In addition to neon gas, Ukrain supplies 40 percent of the world's krypton and 30 percent of xenon - both are important materials in semiconductor-related production. Experts said that if supplies are cut off, it will further exacerbate domestic shortages.
Other than raw materials for making chips, both Russia and Ukraine are major exporters of wheat, corn and oilseeds, so grain trade has been affected now.
Russia's wheat exports account for 20 percent of the world's total, making it the world's largest wheat exporter, while Ukraine's wheat exports account for 10 percent, making it the fifth-largest world exporter, according to media reports.
"Imports of Ukrainian grain continue. Up to now, no impact has been seen in shipments," a procurement manager with a major grain trader told the Global Times on Tuesday. "However, there has been a considerable rise in prices.
"As traders, we are not comfortable with this situation," the manager said on condition of anonymity.
Analysts cited by a CNN report are eyeing wheat prices to rise to $11 per bushel, the highest since 2008, from the current level of $7.93. For corn, the rise would be from $6.47 to $8 per bushel.
Ukraine is also the fourth-largest corn exporter in the world, accounting for about 16 percent of global exports. In 2021, China imported 28.35 million tons of corn, including 8.23 million tons of Ukrainian corn, accounting for about 29 percent of China's total corn imports.
"Now, some Chinese traders are more cautious when signing corn orders sourced from Ukraine," Meng Jinhui, an agriculture industry analyst, told the Global Times on Tuesday.
In recent days, the US has played up tensions between Russia and Ukraine while stoking fears of a Russian "invasion," according to media reports.
Given the circumstances, it is not a responsible behavior to hype up war, and to advocate group confrontation is to go back to the old path of the Cold War, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said on Tuesday, in response to media questions about Russia-Ukraine tensions.
Wang urged all parties to be rational and refrain from making moves that may escalate the tensions and sensationalize the crisis.
Putin, Scholz agree on need to avert war amid Ukraine tensions - People’s Daily [English-language]
Both Russian President Vladimir Putin and visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday underlined the need to avoid a war over Ukraine and to settle the crisis via diplomatic efforts.
"Regarding whether we want this (war), of course we don't. This is why we have put forward proposals for the start of a negotiation process in a bid to reach an agreement ensuring equal security for everyone," Putin said during a press conference with Scholz following their talks in the Kremlin.
Scholz said despite that the positions of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union may differ from those of Russia, dialogue remains crucial.
Europe is faced with one of its most dangerous crises in decades and there is an urgent need to defuse the tensions regarding Ukraine and prevent a possible war, the German leader stressed.
As a war in Europe is "unimaginable," Scholz considered it the duty of both Putin and himself to prevent any military escalation on the continent.
"Diplomatic opportunities have not yet been exhausted ... We have heard that some (Russian military) units are being withdrawn (from the borders) and this is a good sign," Scholz said.
As for Russia's security concerns, Scholz assured Putin that NATO's expansion is not even on the agenda.
However, Putin said that postponing Ukraine's possible accession to NATO will resolve nothing for Russia, and Moscow wants its security concerns to be addressed seriously.
Russia will act "in accordance with the plan" and its moves will reflect the latest realities, but no one can predict how the situation will unfold, Putin said, adding that Moscow, nevertheless, will strive to resolve all the existing issues by diplomatic means.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on the 14th that Russia will continue to dialogue with the United States and NATO on security issues.
According to Russian media reports on the 14th, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Lavrov on security issues that day. Lavrov said the U.S. response to Russia's security recommendations, especially concerning the cessation of NATO's expansion, the refraining of deploying strike weapons near the Russian border, and the restoration of military infrastructure in Europe to the state in which Russia and NATO signed the Basic Relations Document in 1997 do not satisfy the core concerns of the Russian side.
Lavrov said that Russia will continue to promote dialogue with the West on aspects of "pragmatic significance" in the security issue, and will continue to ask it to answer the questions raised by Russia on security.
In addition, Lavrov said in response to Putin's related questions that Russia still has the opportunity to reach an agreement with the West on security issues. The Russian side is carrying out continuous explanation work on relevant issues and hopes that the West will meet each other halfway and put forward relevant opinions, but relevant dialogues cannot be conducted endlessly.
In December 2021, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on security dialogue with the United States and other Western countries, requesting the United States and NATO to provide legal guarantees for excluding the possibility of NATO's further eastward expansion. From January 10th to 13th this year, Russia conducted dialogues with the United States and NATO on security proposals respectively, but no substantive results were achieved. On January 26, the United States and NATO respectively submitted written replies to the Russian side on security recommendations. According to reports, Russia has prepared a draft document in response to the Western response, and Putin has tentatively agreed to the draft document.
俄罗斯外长拉夫罗夫14日表示，俄罗斯将继续就安全保障问题与美国和北约对话。
据俄罗斯媒体14日报道，俄总统普京当天就安全保障问题会见拉夫罗夫。拉夫罗夫表示，美国就俄罗斯安全保障建议的答复，特别是涉及北约停止扩张、不在俄边境附近部署打击性武器、在欧洲的军事基础设施恢复至1997年俄与北约签署基本关系文件时的状态等俄方核心关切的内容，不能令俄方满意。
拉夫罗夫说，俄罗斯将就安全保障问题中具有“现实意义”的方面继续推进与西方对话，并继续要求其对俄就安全保障提出的问题进行答复。
此外，拉夫罗夫在回答普京相关提问时表示，俄罗斯仍有机会与西方就安全保障问题达成协议。俄方正在就相关问题进行持续的解释工作，并希望西方相向而行提出相关意见，但相关对话不能无休止地进行。
2021年12月，俄外交部就与美国和其他西方国家开展安全保障对话发表声明，要求美国、北约就排除北约进一步东扩的可能提供法律保障。今年1月10日至13日，俄分别与美国、北约就安全保障建议开展对话，但未取得实质性成果。1月26日，美国和北约分别向俄方递交关于安全保障建议的书面答复。据报道，俄罗斯已就西方答复准备一份文件草案，普京已初步同意该文件草案，俄方将在完善文件内容后递交相关方。
Comment: Matter-of-fact reporting. Also noteworthy that the Chinese foreign ministry/propaganda apparatus doesn’t appear to have mentioned Russia’s supposed sighting of a Virginia-class submarine in Russian territorial waters.
Comment: From the 14th. No mention of Ukraine
Comment: From the 15th. No mention of Ukraine
2) Evacuation Orders for PRC, India, ROC, and Vietnam?
China says embassy in Ukraine operating as normal, calls for ‘all parties to be rational’ – SCMP
Foreign ministry spokesman urges countries ‘not to make moves that will hype up the situation’
Comment: A PRC evacuation would undercut any Russian pretext, so Beijing would seek to make any evacuation as quiet as possible. Any evacuation may therefore be organized through WeChat: the platform is opaque to foreigners, but nearly all PRC citizens use it. The PRC embassy in Kyiv hasn’t posted any additional evacuation updates to their web site since Feb 12th.
Advisory for Indian Nationals in Ukraine – Indian Embassy in Kyiv
In view of the uncertainties of the current situation in Ukraine, Indian nationals in Ukraine, particularly students whose stay is not essential, may consider leaving temporarily. Indian nationals are also advised to avoid all non-essential travel to and within Ukraine.
…
For maintaining contact with Indian citizens in light of the situation, Embassy of India has opened the following special helplines and email ID. Urgent and emergency related queries must be directed only to these numbers. However, please note, that given the deluge of phone calls and emails, Embassy may not be able to respond to all queries
Registration form for Indian citizens in Ukraine – Indian Embassy in Kyiv
With an intent to coordinate with Indian citizens effectively, and disseminate information in a swift manner, Embassy of India, Kyiv requests all Indian citizens, including students presently located in the territory of Ukraine, to fill up the below form. Those students presently pursuing online education from India are directed NOT to fill up the form.
Please fill up your details by 1700 hrs, January 31, 2022
Embassy of India in Kyiv is closely monitoring the situation. It is advised to continue to follow the Embassy website, facebook and twitter pages for further updates, which would be published as and when required.
Comment: Notable that India has been relatively forward-leaning on evacuation, especially compared to China and Vietnam.
Regarding the escalating military confrontation – ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs [Chinese-language]
Regarding the escalating military confrontation between Russia and Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded as follows:
Due to the tense situation on the border between Russia and Ukraine, it may even continue to rise. In order to maintain the safety of the Chinese people, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on the Chinese people to avoid going to Ukraine, and at the same time advises about 25 Chinese nationals currently studying and working in Ukraine to leave Ukraine as soon as possible. If Chinese nationals need assistance, please call the emergency number: +7-969-008-6111 to contact my representative office in Russia, which also handles Ukraine affairs; or call +380-44-537-0982 to contact the Taiwan Trade Center in Kiev.
關於俄羅斯與烏克蘭的軍事對峙情勢升高事，外交部回應如下：
2022/02/12
關於俄羅斯與烏克蘭的軍事對峙情勢升高事，外交部回應如下：
基於俄羅斯與烏克蘭邊界的情勢緊張，甚至有繼續升高可能，為維護國人安全，外交部呼籲國人避免前往烏克蘭，同時建議目前在烏克蘭境內留學及工作的約25位我國僑民，儘速離開烏克蘭。 國人如果需協助，請撥打緊急電話：+7-969-008-6111，與我兼轄烏克蘭事務的駐俄羅斯代表處聯繫；或撥打+380-44-537-0982與基輔台灣貿易中心聯繫。
Comment: Extrapolating from this one data point (~25 ROC citizens in Ukraine) suggests that there are at least 1,000 PRC citizens in Ukraine. Kyiv Post reported there were ~30,000 Chinese people in Ukraine in 2017. That figure was likely an overestimate, and many PRC nationals left Ukraine amid the coronavirus. I would guess the true number of PRC nationals still residing in Ukraine is probably under 10,000 or even below 5,000, although that’s just a guess.
Vietnam's ambassador to Ukraine, Nguyen Hong Thach, made the remarks during an interview at an ice rink on the evening of the 13th, Tuoi Tre reported today. He also stressed that none of the 200 people skating here thought there would be a war.
越南青年報（Tuoi Tre）今天報導，越南駐烏克蘭大使阮鴻石（Nguyen Hong Thach）13日晚間在一個溜冰場接受訪問時做上述表示。他還強調，在這裡溜冰的200人中沒有任何人認為會發生戰爭。
3) The Kremlin
Talks with Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz – The Kremlin
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Federal Chancellor,
I am delighted to meet and become acquainted with you and to receive you in Moscow.
I would like to note immediately that the Federal Republic of Germany ranks among our priority partners per se and in Europe in particular. Speaking of the European dimension, it is our largest trade and economic partner.
In this connection, I would like to note that, despite all the difficulties of the pandemic period, the level of our trade adjusted slightly in 2020, but increased by over 36 percent last year. This is, of course, a good indicator.
Hundreds of German companies operate in Russia, one way or another, and they have invested more than US$20 billion in the Russian economy. In turn, Russian companies have invested just over US$10 billion, and this is also a good contribution to the development of the German economy and maintaining jobs.
Recently, we have undertaken intensive joint efforts to diversify our relations, and they are really developing in different fields – but, traditionally, the energy industry has naturally been a priority area. I will not list all the figures, which are basically well known; we can also mention this at today’s news conference. Russia has been a reliable energy supplier for decades – and throughout this period, no failure has occurred in deliveries of energy resources from Russia as all our activities are based on market principles, with absolutely no questions or doubts in this regard.
Meeting with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov – The Kremlin
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov: Mr President,
We have been working on your instructions since mid-December when we presented our initiatives to the Americans and to NATO member countries. We met with an American delegation and held a Russia-NATO Council meeting in mid-January during which we explained to our partners in detail the importance of our initiatives for resolving key security problems in the Euro-Atlantic Region.
…
Unfortunately, we are seeing an attempt by our NATO colleagues and the European Union, which is groping for its own place, to somehow have them alone determine the further progress of our continent.
…
As of today, however, we have seen some very specific responses to the initiatives we advanced earlier. The other side is demonstrating a willingness to enter into serious negotiations. It is clear that our initiative on European security, on security guarantees we put forward and are strongly promoting, clearly stating our fundamental interests in this, has given our Western colleagues a shake. This is why they are no longer able to just ignore many of our previous calls.
…
Vladimir Putin: Mr Lavrov, do you think we still have a chance of coming to terms with our partners on the key problems of our concern or is this simply an attempt to drag us into an endless negotiating process with no logical conclusion?
Sergei Lavrov: Mr President, you have said more than once – you and other representatives of the Russian Federation have said – that we are warning that an endless discussion on the issues that must be resolved today is unacceptable.
That said, as the head of the Foreign Ministry, I must say that there is always a chance. I am referring to your recent meetings with the US and French leaders; the Federal Chancellor of Germany is coming tomorrow; our colleagues are addressing me: the Polish Foreign Minister will be here tomorrow; the Italian Foreign Minister will come here in two days, and other meetings are being planned.
We have consistently conducted explanatory work; we are committed to explaining why we are right, and that we are ready to listen to serious counter arguments. That said, I think our opportunities are far from exhausted. Of course, they should not be endless, but I think we should still continue to pursue and build on them at this point.
Meeting with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu – The Kremlin
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu: Mr President, indeed, I wanted to give an update on the exercises today.
These are large-scale exercises and they are underway in the Western Military District, involving virtually all fleets, including those in the Barents Sea, the Black Sea, the Baltic Sea and the Pacific Fleet. Military units from virtually all military districts, including the Eastern Military District, the Central Military District and the Northern Military District, are taking part in these exercises.
Some of these exercises are nearing completion, and others will end in the near future.
During the Pacific Fleet’s operations, as part of an exercise near the Kuril island of Urup, we detected a submarine, presumably that of the United States. [Comment: Russia’s Defense Ministry and TASS claimed they found a U.S. Virginia-class submarine on Sunday, not sure why Shoigu appeared less certain on Monday] Following almost three-hour operations, the submarine was expelled from the territory of the Russian Federation. Actually, it had ventured over four kilometres into Russian territorial waters, a large distance, by local standards. We conducted special operations three times and forced the submarine to leave Russia’s territorial waters.
4) Western reactions
Remarks by President Biden Providing an Update on Russia and Ukraine – White House
THE PRESIDENT: … From the beginning of this crisis, I have been absolutely clear and consistent: The United States is prepared no matter what happens.
We are ready with diplomacy — to be engaged in diplomacy with Russia and our Allies and partners to improve stability and security in Europe as a whole. And we are ready to respond decisively to a Russian attack on Ukraine, which is still very much a possibility…
This weekend I spoke again with President Putin to make clear that we are ready to keep pursuing high-level diplomacy to reach written understandings among Russia, the United States, and the nations of Europe to address legitimate security concerns if that’s what — his wish. Their security concerns and ours.
President Putin and I agreed that our teams should continue to engage toward this end along with our European Allies and partners.
Yesterday, the Russian government publicly proposed to continue the diplomacy. I agree. We should give the diplomacy every chance to succeed. I believe there are real ways to address our respective security concerns…
And we’re willing to make practical, results-oriented steps that can advance our common security. We will not sacrifice basic principles, though. [Bolded by The Report]
Nations have a right to sovereignty and territorial integrity. They have the freedom to set their own course and choose with whom they will associate. [Bolded by The Report]
But that still leaves plenty of room for diplomacy and for de-escalation. That’s the best way forward for all parties, in our view. And we’ll continue our diplomatic efforts in close consultation with our Allies and our partners. [Bolded by The Report]
…
We have not yet verified that Russian military units are returning to their home bases. Indeed, our analysts indicate that they remain very much in a threatening position. And the fact remains: Right now, Russia has more than 150,000 troops encircling Ukraine in Belarus and along Ukraine’s border.
An invasion remains distinctly possible. [Bolded by The Report] That’s why I’ve asked several times that all Americans in Ukraine leave now before it’s too late to leave safely. It is why we have temporarily relocated our embassy from Kyiv to Lviv in western Ukraine, approaching the Polish border….
The United States and NATO are not a threat to Russia. Ukraine is not threatening Russia. Neither the U.S. nor NATO have missiles in Ukraine. We do not — do not have plans to put them there as well. We’re not targeting the people of Russia. We do not seek to destabilize Russia.
To the citizens of Russia: You are not our enemy. And I do not believe you want a bloody, destructive war against Ukraine — a country and a people with whom you share such deep ties of family, history, and culture.
…
Today, our NATO Allies and the Alliance is as unified and determined as it has ever been. And the source of our unbreakable strength continues to be the power, resilience, and universal appeal of our shared democratic values.
Because this is about more than just Russia and Ukraine. It’s about standing for what we believe in, for the future we want for our world, for liberty — for liberty, the right of countless countries to choose their own destiny, and the right of people to determine their own futures, for the principle that a country can’t change its neighbor’s borders by force. That’s our vision. And toward that end, I’m confident that vision, that freedom will prevail.
If Russia proceeds, we will rally the world to oppose its aggression.
The United States and our Allies and partners around the world are ready to impose powerful sanctions on [and] export controls, including actions that did not — we did not pursue when Russia invaded Crimea and eastern Ukraine in 2014. We will put intense pressure on their largest and most significant financial institutions and key industries.
These measures are ready to go as soon and if Russia moves. We’ll impose long-term consequences that will undermine Russia’s ability to compete economically and strategically.
And when it comes to Nord Stream 2, the pipeline that would bring natural gas from Russia to Germany, if Russia further invades Ukraine, it will not happen.
While I will not send American servicemen to fight Russia in Ukraine, we have supplied the Ukrainian military with equipment to help them defend themselves. We have provided training and advice and intelligence for the same purpose.
And make no mistake: The United States will defend every inch of NATO territory with the full force of American power. An attack against one NATO country is an attack against all of us. And the United States commitment to Article 5 is sacrosanct.
Already, in response to Russia’s build-up of troops, I have sent additional U.S. forces to bolster NATO’s eastern flank.
Several of our Allies have also announced they’ll add forces and capabilities to ensure deterrence and defense along NATO’s eastern flank.
We will also continue to conduct military exercises with our Allies and partners to enhance defensive readiness.
And if Russia invades, we will take further steps to reinforce our presence in NATO, reassure for our Allies, and deter further aggression.
This is a cause that unites Republicans and Democrats. And I want to thank the leaders and members of Congress of both parties who have forcefully spoken out in defense of our most basic, most bipartisan, most American principles.
I will not pretend this will be painless. There could be impact on our energy prices, so we are taking active steps to alleviate the pressure on our own energy markets and offset rising prices.
We’re coordinating with major enersy [sic] — energy consumers and producers. We’re prepared to deploy all the tools and authority at our disposal to provide relief at the gas pump.
And I will work with Congress on additional measures to help protect consumers and address the impact of prices at the pump.
We are not seeking direct confrontation with Russia, though I have been clear that if Russia targets Americans in Ukraine, we will respond forcefully.
And if Russia attacks the United States or our Allies through asymmetric means, like disruptive cyberattacks against our companies or critical infrastructure, we are prepared to respond.
We’re moving in lockstep with our NATO Allies and partners to deepen our collective defense against threats in cyberspace.
Two paths are still open. For the sake of the historic responsibility Russia and the United States share for global stability, for the sake of our common future — to choose diplomacy.
But let there be no doubt: If Russia commits this breach by invading Ukraine, responsible nations around the world will not hesitate to respond.
If we do not stand for freedom where it is at risk today, we’ll surely pay a steeper price tomorrow.
Thank you. I’ll keep you informed.
U.S. Weighs China Factor in Drafting Plans to Punish Russia – WSJ
In joust with Putin, Germany's Scholz displays more assertive style – Reuters
Scholz even poked fun at Putin's fears of NATO's eastern enlargement given it was not on the agenda any time soon and his lengthy time at the helm of his country.
"I don't quite know how long the president plans to stay in office," he said, with a grin towards Putin. "I have a feeling this could be a long time, but not forever."
Japan coordinating with West over possible Ukraine contingency – The Japan Times
Japan is coordinating with the United States and related European countries on the specifics of possible sanctions against Russia in the event of an invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Monday.
v/r,
Joe Webster
The China-Russia Report is an independent, nonpartisan newsletter covering political, economic, and security affairs within and between China and Russia. All articles, comments, op-eds, etc represent only the personal opinion of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the position(s) of The China-Russia Report.