**China’s Stance on Ukraine War Remains Unchanged**
Chinese President Xi Jinping has reaffirmed China’s position on resolving the war in Ukraine. He met with Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, on December 12.
According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Xi emphasized three principles: preventing the conflict from expanding beyond the combat zone, preventing the escalation of hostilities, and preventing any party from fomenting the conflict. He also called for international efforts to create favorable conditions for a political settlement.
China has been criticized for its role in supporting Russia’s war effort. Reports suggest that China has supplied dual-use goods that bolster Russia’s defense industry. Ukraine invited China to the peace summit back in January, but Beijing declined the invitation as the terms were not met.
**Russia’s Advances in Ukraine**
Russian attacks against Ukraine with guided aerial bombs have reportedly fallen by over 50% since Western partners allowed Kyiv to target Russia with long-range missiles. The closure comes amid an increasingly dangerous Russian advance towards Pokrovsk, where Ukraine has lost key positions in recent days.
**International Response**
The US has approved a new security assistance package for Ukraine that will provide them with additional air defense, artillery, drones, and armored vehicles. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned that the alliance is not ready for the threats it will face from Russia in the coming years.
**Other Developments**
A Russian-controlled court in occupied Donetsk Oblast sentenced a 20-year-old man to 11 years in a strict regime penal colony. As of December 2024, 301 Ukrainian civilian women are in Russian captivity.
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