BRICS leaders call for peace amid rising North Korean tensions
Chinese President Xi Jinping stated during the BRICS leaders meeting that we must stop adding fuel to the fire concerning the Ukrainian conflict and prevent third countries from becoming involved. He added that China, Brazil, and countries of the Global South have formed a "peace friends" group aimed at "uniting great voices for peace."
– It is necessary to prevent the spread of conflict and escalation – declared Chinese President Xi Jinping during the BRICS leaders meeting. – In the context of the prolonged crisis in Ukraine, China, Brazil, and countries of the Global South formed a friendship group for peace – he added, emphasising that the group "aims to unite great voices for peace".
China responds to reports of soldiers from North Korea
– It is important, based on the principles of preventing the spread of conflicts to third countries and avoiding escalation of military actions and adding fuel to the fire, to promote a rapid de-escalation of the situation – remarked Xi in response to information about North Korea sending soldiers to Russia.
According to the latest findings of the South Korean intelligence agency (NIS), Kim sent not 1,500 but 3,000 soldiers to Russia. In total, by the end of December, Kim's regime intends to transfer about 12,000 military personnel. Among them are soldiers from special units.
According to "The Wall Street Journal", the cooperation agreement between Russia and the DPRK includes a secret clause under which Pyongyang could send thousands of soldiers to the front in Ukraine to gain real combat experience.
"Chaos prevails in international relations"
On Tuesday, Chinese leader Xi Jinping met with Vladimir Putin and stated that the strategic partnership between China and Russia is a stabilising force in a world plunged into chaos. The leaders announced that a "new era" has begun in their countries' relations.
– At present, the world is undergoing changes not seen in 100 years, and chaos prevails in international relations (...). However, I firmly believe that the friendship between China and Russia will last for generations, said Xi.
Putin called the Chinese leader a "dear friend". He also declared that "Russian-Chinese cooperation in global affairs is one of the main stabilising factors".
– We intend to further strengthen cooperation on many fronts to ensure global security and a fair order in the world, he added.
The annual BRICS summit, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, will continue until Thursday. This is the first high-level meeting since the bloc's expansion at the beginning of 2024. BRICS member states now include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates.
