US: No day of reckoning for Putin if the world falls for peace charade

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken yesterday warned the world not to be duped by warmonger Vladimir Putin's peace overtures during the Chinese President's visit to Moscow.

- Mark Reynolds

He spoke out after Xi Jinping revealed he was in Russia to discuss a 12-point plan to "settle the acute crisis in Ukraine", which includes "ceasing hostilities" and resuming peace talks.

But the US said the plan failed to outline the withdrawal of Kremlin troops. Mr Blinken said: "The world should not be fooled by any tactical move by Russia, supported by China or any other country, to freeze the war on its own terms.

Fruitful

"Calling for a ceasefire that does not include the removal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory would effectively be supporting the ratification of Russian conquest."

He spoke as Putin welcomed his "good old friend" Xi Jinping on the two-day visit.

The Russian tyrant said: "We are grateful for the balanced line of [China] in connection with the events taking place in Ukraine, for understanding their background and true causes.