Putin says US-Russia relations in ‘deep crisis,’ blames Washington

BLOOMBERG

Russian President Vladimir Putin said relations between the US and Russia are “experiencing a deep crisis,” as he sought to blame Washington for his invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
American encouragement of “colour revolutions” led to the war in Ukraine, Putin said at a Kremlin ceremony to receive the credentials of 17 new foreign ambassadors including US envoy Lynne Tracy and the European Union’s (EU) representative, Roland Galharague. Russia would continue to insist on “equality and respect for sovereignty” in relations, he said.
Putin also accused the EU of having chosen a policy of “confrontation with Russia.”
The Kremlin leader made no reference to US warnings that he was preparing an invasion of Ukraine months before he ordered the February 2022 attack. Russian officials repeatedly denied that Moscow planned an attack that has turned into Europe’s biggest conflict since World War II.
Putin has accused the US for years of stoking pro-democracy protests in neighboring former Soviet states, while denying that Russia meddled to prop up authoritarian regimes friendly to Moscow.

Macron Sees Role for China on Ukraine
French President Emmanuel Macron said China can play a “major role” in Ukraine while adding that he opposes moves to decouple from the world’s second-biggest economy, as he pushes Europe to take a more moderate stance towards Beijing than the US is demanding.
Moments after Macron landed in China for a three-day visit, he made clear his strategy to appease tensions and find common ground with Beijing on several fronts, starting with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. He suggested that China could use its close ties with Russia to push for peace.
“We need to try to engage with China strategically and speak with them directly about this Russian aggression and the consequences for Europe,” Macron said in a speech at the French embassy, a day before a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“China, thanks to its relationship with Russia, can play a major role,” Macron added, citing what he saw as positive signs like Beijing’s 12-point blueprint for peace.
While China has cast itself as neutral on Russia’s invasion, its stance has effectively benefited Russian President Vladimir Putin. Xi used a two-day visit to Moscow last month to underscore his warm ties with Putin, while the Russian leader praised China’s stance.
Macron acknowledged he doesn’t expect to “stop the war” but warned China that any country that delivered weapons to Russia would become complicit in a breach of international law.