Xi isn't going to give Putin everything he wants – diplomat Bryza

He said this on Espreso TV. 

“In Washington, the biggest question of all is whether China is going to provide military equipment and ammunition to Russia, and so far Beijing has shown no sign of being ready to do that. It could do so at any time, but also many Chinese companies seem to be wanting to try to avoid the sanctions of the United States and the European Union as well. That suggests to me there's a certain degree of caution in Beijing with the Chinese government and especially Xi Jinping not wanting to be seen as fully supporting Russia. But China is very happy to sell certain goods, especially involving computer chips that Russia cannot get from elsewhere. Russia needs to rebuild its weaponry, and China has been very happy to buy Russian oil at a steep discount. Both of those things are in China's self-interest. China is pursuing its own interests here,” Bryza explained. 

According to the diplomat, Xi is now carefully weighing how much China can benefit economically and strategically if it gives Putin some of what he wants.

“In the United States and Europe, the focus on that 12-point statement has been that China is tilting towards supporting Russia because it calls for a ceasefire. But if you read carefully that statement, what is written in that text is China hopes for a de-escalation of tension and eventually a ceasefire which you could interpret to read that China is saying - we understand that Ukraine needs to keep fighting for some time to fulfill the very first point of that statement, which is support for the territorial integrity of states and non-intervention in their domestic affairs. So I think again that Xi is weighing how much benefit can China gain for itself economically and strategically from giving Putin some of what he wants. But Xi clearly is not giving Putin everything that he wants,” he added. 

• In February, China published a document with a position on a 'political settlement' of Russia's war against Ukraine. Beijing called for respect for the sovereignty of all countries, a ceasefire, negotiations, a solution to the humanitarian crisis, and the protection of civilians and prisoners of war.

• On March 20, Chinese leader Xi Jinping had an informal meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow which lasted for 4.5 hours.

• On April 4, French President Emmanuel Macron will travel to China's leader Xi Jinping. Paris has called for redoubled efforts to stop China from increasing its support for Russia's invasion.