China aids Russia in legitimatizing its seizures of Ukrainian land - ISW

The Institute for the Study of War reports.

Analysts noted that on December 12, Dmitry Medvedev met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. They discussed the situations in Syria and Ukraine, highlighted bilateral relations between Russia and China, and their cooperation in multilateral institutions. Xi reaffirmed China's standard position on the war in Ukraine, calling for "de-escalation" and promoting China's "Friends of Peace" initiative with Brazil.

Medvedev later stated that he and Xi discussed a potential settlement in Ukraine, claiming that Russia is "ready to resume negotiations with Ukraine," but only if "Ukraine acknowledges the realities on the ground."

Medvedev referred to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin's speech on June 14, 2024, in which he stated that Ukrainian forces must "completely withdraw" from Ukrainian-controlled territories in Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions before Russia would agree to negotiations.

The Russian version of "negotiations," based on "realities on the ground," demands that Ukraine relinquish nearly 20% of its territory and millions of people living under Russian occupation.

• At a meeting with Medvedev, Xi Jinping spoke of the need for “early détente” in Ukraine.