A Biden-Xi summit: implications for Ukraine. Heavy Russian shelling of Bilozerka, in Kherson region destroys an energy facility, kills one, and injures four others. At least 265 people have been killed by mines in Ukraine, and 587 others have been injured.
Biden-Xi summit: implications for Ukraine
U.S. President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping of China met outside San Francisco on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation event on Wednesday. Biden and Xi met for about four hours to discuss issues that have strained U.S.-Chinese relations. They addressed a wide range of issues, including wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and tensions around Taiwan.
After the meeting, Biden wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “There are critical global challenges that demand our joint leadership. And today, we made real progress.”
“Today, President Xi and I also exchanged views on a range of regional and global issues, including Russia’s refusal to stop the brutal war of aggression against Ukraine and — the conflict in Gaza,” Biden told a news conference after the meeting.
Analysts say that Biden has also called on China not to supply weapons to Russia to aid in its invasion of Ukraine, and to press North Korea not to do so.
The United States and China have agreed to resume military-to-military communications. The move to restart them was one of the agreements President Biden presented to the media following face-to-face conversations with President Xi.
Beijing formally suspended direct military contact with the U.S. in April 2022 in the wake of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
China has not changed its view of Russia’s war in Ukraine after the Biden-Xi summit. “Indeed, the two Presidents exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern including the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said. “China’s position on both issues is clear and consistent. We stand on the side of equity and justice and remain committed to promoting talks for peace and de-escalation,” she said.
Heavy Russian shelling destroys energy facility, kills one, injures four others in Kherson region
Heavy Russian shelling of Bilozerka, in Kherson region on Thursday, November 16, killed one person, and injured four others, head of the Kherson regional military administration, Oleksandr Prokudin said on Telegram.
A 62-year old man, and three women, ages 28, 34 and 56, were taken to hospital, he added.
The attacks destroyed a critical infrastructure facility, cutting power to Bilozerka and surrounding villages, Prokudin said.
Restoration teams will begin repairs to restore power once security conditions allow.
The body of a man had been pulled out from under rubble from a house that was affected in the attacks, the Office of the Prosecutor General said on Telegram.
Private houses, vehicles, an administrative building, and a grocery store were also damaged, it said in a message.
At least 265 people have been killed by mines in Ukraine, 587 others have been injured
More than 800 civilians have been injured or killed by mines in Ukraine, deputy head of a department that plans, organizes and coordinates demining activities at the mine action center of Ukraine’s Defense Ministry, Colonel Pavlo Voznyuk told a news conference at the Military Media Center on Thursday.
“Since the full-scale invasion, there have been 576 incidents caused by the handling of explosive remnants of war and by encounters with landmines. Some 265 people have been killed [by mines], and 587 have been injured, 852 people in total,” he said, citing reports available as of November 16.
Voznyuk urged to observe landmine safety and pay attention to landmine signs warning of danger, including ribbons, “Danger Mines!” and “Stop Mines!” signs, and red flags on the ground.
The signs warn of areas contaminated with mines, he added.
On November 14, two people traveling by car in Kharkiv region were injured in a mine explosion. One passenger was killed, and the other was taken to hospital.
