US President Joe Biden has expressed skepticism about China’s peace plan for Ukraine. In an interview with ABC television, he also confirmed his intention to run for a second term in office next year.
The notion that China can negotiate an end to the war is not reasonable, Biden was quoted as saying by Reuters.
The US president argued that there is “nothing in the plan that will benefit anyone but Russia.” Russian President Vladimir Putin “applauds (the plan), so how could it be a good thing?” Biden asked rhetorically.
China’s Ukraine peace plan calls for both sides in the conflict to agree to a gradual de-escalation and warns against the use of nuclear weapons. It largely echoes the position taken by China since the start of the war, Reuters notes.
The American president confirmed that for now the United States will not send F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, as his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky insists.
Zelensky “doesn’t need F-16s now. I’m ruling out (sending such warplanes) for now,” Biden said.
In the interview, the American president confirmed that he intends to run for a second term in office next year, reported France Press.
At the same time, he clarified that he will not be in a hurry to officially announce his candidacy. “People have reason to question my age,” admitted the 80-year-old Biden, but emphasized: “All I can say is: Watch what I do!”
A medical examination last week concluded that the American president is alive and able to carry out his duties, noted AFP and BTA.
In an interview with the Associated Press, first lady Jill Biden confirmed that her husband is ready to run for another term in the presidency.
