Willie R. Tubbs, FISM News
An unidentified intelligence agency that represents western interests revealed Thursday that Chinese leadership might have had advanced knowledge of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that dates to at least early February, but almost certainly requested that Russia hold off on invading Ukraine until after the Beijing Olympics.
As first reported by the New York Times, the western intelligence agency found that when Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping met Feb. 4, just before the opening ceremonies, Chinese officials received some indication of Putin’s plans.
The report has been confirmed by both the Biden Administration and European officials, but China vehemently denies the claim.
“These claims are speculation without any basis, and are intended to blame-shift and smear China,” Chinese Embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu told the Times.
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin called the report “despicable” and said “The New York Times Report is pure fake news.”
Whether by design or coincidence, the Russian invasion of Ukraine did not begin until four days after the closing ceremonies.
In the immediate aftermath of the invasion, China came out in support of Russia and also decried the West’s use of sanctions to punish Russia.
“China disapproves of the use of sanctions to solve problems, still less unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law,” Ambassador Liu Xiaoming tweeted Feb. 28. “It has long been proved that sanctions, far from being a solution, will only create new problems.”
China disapproves of the use of sanctions to solve problems, still less unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law. It has long been proved that sanctions, far from being a solution, will only create new problems.
— 刘晓明Liu Xiaoming (@AmbLiuXiaoMing) February 28, 2022
This got an immediate response from leaders across the West, some of whom questioned the ambassador and China’s mastery of international law.
“Ukrainian moms disapprove of Chairman Xi’s support for Vladimir Putin’s bloody invasion that has no basis in international law,” Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) tweeted in response. ”It has long been proved that committing war crimes against civilians, far from being a solution, will only create new problems.”
Ukrainian moms disapprove of Chairman Xi’s support for Vladimir Putin’s bloody invasion that has no basis in international law. It has long been proved that committing war crimes against civilians, far from being a solution, will only create new problems. https://t.co/MywMwSDCc4
— Ben Sasse (@BenSasse) February 28, 2022
In recent weeks, at least in its public-facing messaging, China has struck a more neutral stance.
Liu’s most recent tweet reads, “The top priority right now is to ease the situation on the ground as much as possible, and prevent the conflicts from escalating or even getting out of control.”
Still, China’s pro-Russia sentiment is evident as Chinese leaders have steadfastly refused to join the West in imposing economic sanctions against Russia.