04:27Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder acknowledged that 'China can play a productive role in terms of addressing Russia's malign and illegal activity in Ukraine' in a press conference in Washington DC on Wednesday.
"If they're able to compel Russia to withdraw its forces and enable the restoration of peace, I think that would be a positive development," he stated. "But certainly when it comes to the Ukrainian foreign minister and his conversations with his Chinese counterparts, I'd have to refer you to Ukraine".
"We don't want to see the conflict in Ukraine go on forever. We want to see peace in Ukraine, but it has to come in terms that are acceptable to Ukraine," he added.
Ryder also reiterated the US commitment to Ukraine, emphasising consistent support for Ukraine's security and right to self-defence.
"No one wants to see this war continue," he said. "But as long as Russia continues to occupy sovereign Ukrainian territory, and as long as the Ukrainians continue to fight against Russian aggression, and for freedom, the United States will continue to support as we've done since the beginning of Russia's illegal invasion".
Ryder also highlighted the wider implications of the conflict, echoing the sentiments of Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, who warned that Ukraine's security is closely linked to global security.
"The security of Ukraine matters. Because if Russia is allowed to succeed in Ukraine, they won't stop there. not only European security but US and international security," he said.
In late February 2022, Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine after recognizing the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR). Russia claimed that Kiev had failed to ensure its special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements and urged Ukraine to declare neutrality and assure it would never join NATO. Kiev condemned the action as an invasion, and President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed martial law and announced a general mobilization. In response, the EU and the US imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
When asked about the ongoing Houthi threats, Ryder confirmed that the United States is taking Houthi threats in the Red Sea region very 'seriously' adding that they will continue 'to work with allies and partners to degrade and disrupt their capability to launch attacks in the Red Sea and in the region'.
The US and UK launched several strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen starting on Friday, following attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis, who claimed their actions were against Israeli-linked vessels due to the war in Gaza, condemned the strikes.
The Pentagon spokesperson also expressed concern over the growing cooperation between North Korea and Russia regarding the war in Ukraine noting Russia's need to seek support from countries like Iran and North Korea highlights its logistical challenges.
'China can play a productive role' - Pentagon spox on how China could help address Russia's 'illegal activity' in Ukraine
Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder acknowledged that 'China can play a productive role in terms of addressing Russia's malign and illegal activity in Ukraine' in a press conference in Washington DC on Wednesday.
"If they're able to compel Russia to withdraw its forces and enable the restoration of peace, I think that would be a positive development," he stated. "But certainly when it comes to the Ukrainian foreign minister and his conversations with his Chinese counterparts, I'd have to refer you to Ukraine".
"We don't want to see the conflict in Ukraine go on forever. We want to see peace in Ukraine, but it has to come in terms that are acceptable to Ukraine," he added.
Ryder also reiterated the US commitment to Ukraine, emphasising consistent support for Ukraine's security and right to self-defence.
"No one wants to see this war continue," he said. "But as long as Russia continues to occupy sovereign Ukrainian territory, and as long as the Ukrainians continue to fight against Russian aggression, and for freedom, the United States will continue to support as we've done since the beginning of Russia's illegal invasion".
Ryder also highlighted the wider implications of the conflict, echoing the sentiments of Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, who warned that Ukraine's security is closely linked to global security.
"The security of Ukraine matters. Because if Russia is allowed to succeed in Ukraine, they won't stop there. not only European security but US and international security," he said.
In late February 2022, Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine after recognizing the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR). Russia claimed that Kiev had failed to ensure its special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements and urged Ukraine to declare neutrality and assure it would never join NATO. Kiev condemned the action as an invasion, and President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed martial law and announced a general mobilization. In response, the EU and the US imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
When asked about the ongoing Houthi threats, Ryder confirmed that the United States is taking Houthi threats in the Red Sea region very 'seriously' adding that they will continue 'to work with allies and partners to degrade and disrupt their capability to launch attacks in the Red Sea and in the region'.
The US and UK launched several strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen starting on Friday, following attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis, who claimed their actions were against Israeli-linked vessels due to the war in Gaza, condemned the strikes.
The Pentagon spokesperson also expressed concern over the growing cooperation between North Korea and Russia regarding the war in Ukraine noting Russia's need to seek support from countries like Iran and North Korea highlights its logistical challenges.
Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder acknowledged that 'China can play a productive role in terms of addressing Russia's malign and illegal activity in Ukraine' in a press conference in Washington DC on Wednesday.
"If they're able to compel Russia to withdraw its forces and enable the restoration of peace, I think that would be a positive development," he stated. "But certainly when it comes to the Ukrainian foreign minister and his conversations with his Chinese counterparts, I'd have to refer you to Ukraine".
"We don't want to see the conflict in Ukraine go on forever. We want to see peace in Ukraine, but it has to come in terms that are acceptable to Ukraine," he added.
Ryder also reiterated the US commitment to Ukraine, emphasising consistent support for Ukraine's security and right to self-defence.
"No one wants to see this war continue," he said. "But as long as Russia continues to occupy sovereign Ukrainian territory, and as long as the Ukrainians continue to fight against Russian aggression, and for freedom, the United States will continue to support as we've done since the beginning of Russia's illegal invasion".
Ryder also highlighted the wider implications of the conflict, echoing the sentiments of Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, who warned that Ukraine's security is closely linked to global security.
"The security of Ukraine matters. Because if Russia is allowed to succeed in Ukraine, they won't stop there. not only European security but US and international security," he said.
In late February 2022, Moscow launched a military offensive in Ukraine after recognizing the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics (DPR and LPR). Russia claimed that Kiev had failed to ensure its special status under the 2014 Minsk Agreements and urged Ukraine to declare neutrality and assure it would never join NATO. Kiev condemned the action as an invasion, and President Volodymyr Zelensky imposed martial law and announced a general mobilization. In response, the EU and the US imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Moscow.
When asked about the ongoing Houthi threats, Ryder confirmed that the United States is taking Houthi threats in the Red Sea region very 'seriously' adding that they will continue 'to work with allies and partners to degrade and disrupt their capability to launch attacks in the Red Sea and in the region'.
The US and UK launched several strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen starting on Friday, following attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthis, who claimed their actions were against Israeli-linked vessels due to the war in Gaza, condemned the strikes.
The Pentagon spokesperson also expressed concern over the growing cooperation between North Korea and Russia regarding the war in Ukraine noting Russia's need to seek support from countries like Iran and North Korea highlights its logistical challenges.