Ukrainian drones yesterday targeted Moscow for a third day, forcing most of the Russian capital’s airports to close hours before Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平) was due to fly in for a pomp-filled visit that Kyiv has made clear it opposes.
Xi, whose country buys more Russian oil and gas than any other, and which has thrown Moscow an economic lifeline that has helped it navigate Western sanctions imposed over its war in Ukraine, was due to arrive last night.
When asked during a news briefing about air attacks by both sides on each others’ capitals, a Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson did not comment on Xi’s trip, saying only that the “top priority” was to avoid an escalation in tensions.
Photo: AFP
The Kremlin said the attempted Ukrainian attacks on Moscow showed Kyiv’s tendency to commit “acts of terrorism,” and that Russia’s intelligence services and military were doing everything necessary to ensure the security of the upcoming anniversary commemorations.
Xi is the most powerful world leader expected to attend a military parade on Moscow’s Red Square tomorrow to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union and its allies over Nazi Germany. His expected attendance hands Russian President Vladimir Putin an important diplomatic boost at a time when the leader is keen to show his country is not isolated on the world stage.
The Kremlin has touted Xi’s presence, along with that of 28 other world leaders, as a sign of Russia’s growing global authority.
Photo: Pavlo Petrov, State Emergency Service of Ukraine via AFP
However, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — in comments that seemed directed at China whose troops were due to march on Red Square — on Tuesday urged countries not to send their militaries to participate in the parade, saying that such participation would go against some countries’ declared neutrality in the war.
Ukrainian officials yesterday said that Russia had launched its own air attack on Kyiv overnight, killing a mother and her son.
Russia says it only targets military objects.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said that Russian air defense units had destroyed at least 14 Ukrainian drones headed for the Russian capital overnight.
Moscow’s key airports remained out of operation for most of the night, and Russian airlines were forced to cancel many flights.
Xi has called for talks to end the war in Ukraine and has accused the US of stoking the war with weapons supplies to Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has in the past urged him to try to persuade Putin to end the war.
Xi is today to hold talks with the Russian leader and to join other world leaders for the parade tomorrow.
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