China¡¯s top leader, Xi Jinping, has cast himself as a global statesman, helping Saudi Arabia and Iran broker a deal to restore diplomatic ties while extolling the virtues of ¡°Chinese solutions and wisdom¡± in solving the world¡¯s biggest security challenges.
Now, Xi is putting himself at the center of Russia¡¯s war with Ukraine, working to portray himself as a mediator who could cool down the protracted fight.
The Chinese leader is expected to meet in person next week with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, and a call with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine could follow. China has already proposed a peace settlement, although it does not address important details such as whether Russian troops would withdraw. In announcing Xi¡¯s visit to Russia, a Chinese official Friday said it was ¡°for the sake of peace.¡±
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