Russia and China sign off $165bn of energy and transport deals in Xi’s second day in Moscow

Intellinews
March 21, 2023
By Ben Aris

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a second day of talks on China’s plan for the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict and expanding economic and trade ties during a meeting in Moscow on March 21.

“We are always on the side of peace, justice and historical fairness. We respect the UN charter. We have reached a consensus with President Putin and we have decided to expand and build our stable co-operation,” Xi said.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, confirmed the two leaders had discussed the conflict and a possible peace plan but neither confirmed whether any progress had been made nor gave any details.

Putin suggested that Russia should endorse the Chinese peace plan and will work with Western partners, but gave no further details. China published a 12-point peace plan on the anniversary of the start of the war, which called for a ceasefire, the resolution of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and the resumption of talks between Moscow and Kyiv.

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There is one prevailing, acceptable narrative in the collective West on how we must view the war in Ukraine. We try to expand that view by bringing you alternative voices. The video contained in this article is one of those voices.  As always, please give us your thoughts.

Center for Citizen Initiatives

Responsible Statecraft

Mainer going viral for passionate speech against Ukraine resolution

The measure passed the state legislature by huge margins but Eric Brakey believes his words have resonance outside the Beltway.

March 13, 2023
By Kelley Beaucar Vlahos

A Maine state senator’s statehouse remarks on Friday about the Ukraine war have made a big noise outside the Pine Tree State, particularly on Twitter. Eric Brakey, a self-described libertarian Republican, took advantage of a vote on a joint resolution, “Expressing Support for the People of Ukraine on the One-Year Anniversary of Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine,” to criticize the current Biden policy in Washington as eschewing diplomacy to prolong the war, which he said is ultimately the worst thing to happen for the people of Ukraine, and the world.

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Dear CCI Friends,

Vladimir Pozner, Russia’s foremost independent news commentator, was interviewed by Jim Garrison of Humanity Rising this past week in a lengthy session. Since you may be pressed for time, we are including only the remarks by Pozner directly. Please watch the whole interview when you have time at: 

Summit on Ukraine I: Overview of the War

For Pozner’s specific commentary, skip to 16:40 to view.

Known to not be fond of Putin in the past, Pozner gives an amazing assessment of both Putin and the Ukraine war that most Americans haven’t heard. In case you haven’t followed Pozner’s history, a few words about what has made his assessments so respected around the world.

Pozner’s Russian father was a top filmmaker in Hollywood in 1947 during the post-war frenzy to purge the US of “influences” of USSR. His father was blackballed and forced to leave the United States with his French wife and two young sons, one being Vladimir Pozner. Arriving in the USSR, Pozner had to somehow fit in to survive. Out of this experience was formed the Pozner the world has now come to know and greatly respect. He’s a truth teller and a searcher for ways to create a more just world. He has done this through weekly television programs and is now the most trusted Russian voice across the former USSR and also around the world.

I met Pozner in 1983 on my first trip to the Soviet Union. We became friends and colleagues. When I got in trouble, he bailed me out. When I was sued in St. Petersburg, he flew to sit in court advising me how to win my suit. With him sitting there, the legal matters took care of themselves. I trust his assessments totally. Pozner and Putin are two totally different personalities; hence Pozner hasn’t identified with Putin at all … he has been standoffish regarding Putin.

Listen to Pozner’s assessment of the background of this raging Ukraine war and Putin’s attempts to find ways to deal with the crises he sees ahead.

Sharon Tennison
Center for Citizen Initiatives

Your short comments to us at CCI will be appreciated. Please limit them to 20 words.

Dear CCI Friends,

Here is a recent interview with Tulsi Gabbard which we find thought provoking. Please give us your thoughts/opinions on her position.

Center for Citizen Initiatives

Dear CCI friends,

One of our new CCI Board Members, Krishen Mehta, has written an amazing analysis of the rise of the “Global South.” It is rapidly shifting our planet’s power politics. A Multipolar world is replacing the former Unipolar hemisphere in which we in the United States have been the sole lead nation. How will this affect us? Your thoughts will be greatly appreciated by our new CCI Board.

Sharon Tennison
Paula Day
Sylvia Demarest
Pamela Tetarenko
Krishen Mehta

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