Russia asked not to invade Ukraine before Winter Olympics
China asked its Russian counterparts to delay its invasion of Ukraine until after the Winter Olympics, according to reports.
The investigation conducted by The New York Times, included quotes by officials in US President Joe Biden’s administration and a European official who cited a western intelligence report.
The western intelligence report, published on Wednesday, indicated that senior Chinese officials told their Russian counterparts to hold off their invasion of Ukraine until after the Winter Olympics.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops to invade Ukraine on February 24, just four days after the Winter Olympics ended.
The NYT said the intelligence indicated “some level of knowledge” about Russia’s intentions in Ukraine.
Another source, who refused to be identified, confirmed the intelligence report to Reuters that China made the request to Russia.
However, Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington said the claims are just speculations.
“The claims mentioned in the relevant reports are speculations without any basis, and are intended to blame-shift and smear China,” he said.
On Thursday, China once again refuted the claims calling them “despicable”.
“This kind of rhetoric is to divert attention and shift blame, which is utterly despicable,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said.
The UN General Assembly conducted a vote to reprimand Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and demand Moscow withdraw its military.
China and India abstained from the vote.
Image: Getty