Washington (US): Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday spoke to his US counterpart Joe Biden and said that inter-state conflicts are in no one's interests and both countries should "shoulder our due international responsibilities". In their first talks after the Russian action in Ukraine, Xi said state-to-state relations cannot go to the stage of military hostilities. "Peace and security are the most valued treasures of the international community," he said as per a Chinese state broadcaster. Xi also said that China-US relations should "move forward along the right track" as part of efforts for "world peace and tranquillity".
Ahead of their virtual discussion, the US urged China not to provide Russia with military equipment. However, there was no word from the US side on the talks between the Presidents. Meanwhile, a bipartisan group of US Senators from the NATO Observer Group sent President Joe Biden five proposals for the alliance amid tensions with Russia over their military operation in Ukraine, according to a letter sent by the Senators to Biden.
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"As members of the Senate NATO Observer Group, we wish to convey robust bipartisan support ahead of your trip to Brussels next week for this extraordinary NATO Summit... We support your efforts to maintain transatlantic strength and unity at this critical moment for the alliance and have outlined a number of key issues we wish to convey ahead of your visit to Brussels," the letter read. The Senators in the letter first called on Biden to convey the US Congress's support for NATO and express their appreciation to countries that recently decided to expedite or increase defence spending commitments.
The Senators then encouraged NATO and its members to urgently consider all options to support Ukraine and take seriously President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's request for military equipment to defend Ukrainian skies, the letter said. The letter then urged Biden to request NATO to bolster its presence on its eastern flank, including the establishment of an Enhanced Forward Presence in Romania. The Senators also requested NATO increase its engagement in the Balkans region and consider contingency measures in the event that Russia vetoes the renewal of the EU Forces mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the letter mentioned.
Lastly, the Senators in the letter urged Biden to consider making an additional stop to a NATO member country, either Romania or a Baltic state, to convey strong US support to the region. Signatories of the letter include Senators Jeanne Shaheen, John Barrasso, Cory Booker and Marco Rubio among others.
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with Agency inputs
