National Security Council spokesman John Kirby shared his insight on a possible solution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and it involves China.
Kirby was in attendance of the G7 Summit in Japan this weekend, where he gave an interview to MSNBC regarding the relationship between China and Russia. The NSC spokesman was discussing the end goal of the Quad Leaders’ meeting that included President Joe Biden, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia, Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India, who got together to discuss China.
WHITE HOUSE STILL ‘WORKING HARD’ AS DEBT LIMIT NEGOTIATIONS WITH GOP BREAK DOWN
“China’s influence can be a good thing here, Kristen,” Kirby said, addressing one of the MSNBC reporters. “There’s few — very few leaders around the world that Mr. Putin is willing to listen to. President Xi is one of them.”
“And so, our message to China has been, and will continue to be, use that influence that you have with Putin to encourage him to get out of Ukraine. To pull his troops out,” Kirby went on. “And short of that, if you want to be involved in a peace process, we’ve said, China can have a role. But in order for that role to be credible, it’s got to start with a foundation of understanding of President Zelensky will accept as a peace proposal.”
This international summit comes weeks after Xi met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for the first time.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, met for the first time in 2007 as democratic leaders.
Biden was meant to meet with the other three leaders in Australia but ultimately postponed his trip due to debt limit talks back home. The others ultimately accommodated the president’s schedule and agreed to meet during the G7 summit.