Gabriel Crossley, David Brunnstrom, and Michael Martina

BEIJING/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States on Thursday called on China to use its influence with Russia to urge a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-sees-some-room-dialogue-after-us-security-response-2022-01-27, but policy experts doubted Beijing would back Washington in the standoff.

China’s Foreign Ministry Wang Yi talked by telephone with Antony Blinken the Secretary of State. Beijing expressed its desire for all sides to stay calm and not “agitate tensions or create panic.”

Blinken stressed the need to reduce tensions and warned against the security and economic consequences of Russian aggression, according to the State Department.

U.S. Victoria Nuland (Under Secretary of State for Politic Affairs) stated that U.S. communications to Beijing were very clear.

Nuland stated that Beijing should use its influence to encourage diplomacy because there will be a conflict between Ukraine and China. There will be significant effects on the global economic system. It will have a profound impact on the energy sphere.

China’s U.N. ambassador Zhang Jun announced that the Beijing Winter Games would begin with a “time honored Olympic Truce”, which will be in effect from January 28.

Zhang tweets, “Let’s seize this chance to promote peace and solidarity among all people, in order to make our world better.”

Russia has been increasing its presence at Ukraine’s borders since months. NATO should pull all troops and arms from east Europe. This would also prevent Ukraine (a former Soviet republic) from ever becoming a member of the U.S. military alliance.

NATO allies deny this, but they say that they are open to discussing arms control and confidence building measures.

Former President Barack Obama’s senior U.S. Diplomat for Asia, Daniel Russel said that although China might not like the prospect of Ukraine invading its country on the day of the Olympics’, “Wang Yi” chose to support Russia’s legitimate security concerns rather than give any support to Blinken.

Bonnie Glaser, of the German Marshall Fund of the United States stated that Beijing might act as an obstacle to the United States’ attempts to impose sanctions on Russia.

It is highly unlikely that the U.S. will be able to get China aboard over Ukraine. Beijing will not endorse the use of force but is supportive of NATO’s Russian view. Glaser explained that it isn’t just about the Olympics.

According to her, China is most likely to respond to sanctions imposed by the United States of America and European Union on Russia.

NATO EXPANSION

Wang was apparently speaking about NATO’s expansion of eastern Europe and told Blinken that no country could be secure at the expense or regional security. His ministry stated that strengthening or expanding military blocs could not guarantee security in this region.

United States has called on Russia and Ukraine for a return to an agreement to cease a separatist movement by Russian-speakers from eastern Ukraine. The so-called Minsk II Agreement has not been implemented. Russia insists that it isn’t a party and thus not bound by the terms of the agreement, which was a significant blockage.

Rand Corporation Analyst Derek Grossman claimed that China’s call with Blinken stated Wang had highlighted Minsk even though Russia never followed it.

“I do not see any room for U.S. and China cooperation here. Unfortunately… For China to join NATO, the U.S. must close off future NATO expansion. Secretary Blinken already said that this was a no-starter.”

‘MISTAKES’

Wang stated that the Minsk Agreement was a “fundamental political document” and must be implemented. China supports efforts that are in accordance with “the spirit and direction of the agreement,” Wang said.

China has strengthened its ties to Russia, as Washington and Beijing have become increasingly hostile over trade and human rights issues.

Russian President Vladimir Putin will be visiting China for the Winter Olympics next week.

While Putin was attending the Opening Ceremony of Beijing’s Summer Olympics, Russian troops invade Georgia. Some Western nations were taken by surprise when the crisis broke out.

Wang highlighted the coolness of Beijing’s relationship with Washington. He said that Washington continues to “make mistakes in it’s words and actions on China, creating new shocks for the relationship.”

He stated that “the U.S. must stop interfering in the Beijing Winter Olympics”, stop playing with fire over the Taiwan question, and cease creating anti-China cliques.”

Due to China’s poor human rights records, Britain, Canada, Australia, and the United States have stated that they would not send state officials to Games. China has rejected the notion of politicization and denies any rights violations.