FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The US president said the leaders of China and Russia did not hinder Washington's efforts against the Iranian nuclear program and contributed to reducing tensions...
United States President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin maintained a "neutral" stance during the war with Iran, stressing that they did not hinder American efforts to limit Tehran's nuclear ambitions.
After approving the ceasefire agreement in the conflict, Trump said he was grateful to the two leaders for their non-engagement in the war. "I want to thank them because they made the situation a lot easier," Trump said during a press conference on the sidelines of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Evian-les-Bains, France.
Speaking to reporters, he singled out Chinese President Xi Jinping. “I was in touch with him and he was neutral, completely neutral, and I appreciate that,” Trump said, adding, “I also want to thank Vladimir Putin. He was very neutral. They could have made the situation a lot more difficult for us.”
Trump's comments stand in contrast to criticism he has leveled at several US allies, from Japan to Europe, whom he has accused of not contributing to the military operation or subsequent efforts to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the commercial sea route that was blocked by Iran during the conflict.
Russia and China maintain close relations with Iran. Moscow has warned that war could spark a new nuclear arms race in the Middle East. Beijing, on the other hand, has condemned the US attacks on Iran, calling them a violation of the country's sovereignty. According to sources familiar with the matter, US intelligence officials estimate that China has supplied Iran with goods with potential military use. Also, independent Chinese oil refineries have been among the main buyers of Iranian oil during the conflict, despite US sanctions.
However, Trump argued that Xi Jinping played a constructive role in resolving the crisis and avoided supplying Iran with advanced weapons. “They could have sent an oil tanker escorted by six destroyers. They didn’t. President Xi helped me. He tried to help and I think he probably helped resolve the conflict,” Trump declared.
The Chinese and Russian embassies in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Lini një Përgjigje