Xi Welcomes Russia Ally Lukashenko in Visit Shadowed by War
- Belarus leader hails China’s peace approach in Beijing meeting
- Meeting highlights China’s increasing focus on war in Ukraine
Alexander Lukashenko arrives in Beijing on Feb. 28
Photographer: Maxim Guchek/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko, a close Russian ally, in talks watched closely for signs that Beijing is expanding coordination with Moscow and its supporters in their standoff with the West.
Belarus “fully supports the initiative put forward by you,” Lukashenko told Xi in Beijing Wednesday, according to state-run news agency Belta. He was referring to China’s proposals for international security, many of which were echoed in its 12-point peace initiative for Ukraine released last week. That plan was quickly dismissed by Kyiv and its allies in the US and Europe.