UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 417 - APRIL 14, 2023

Prior to the visit of Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu from April 16 to 18 in Moscow, the Kremlin will likely try to portray Russia as an equal defense partner to China.

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on April 14 that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will meet with Li to discuss bilateral defense cooperation as well as regional and global security issues. On April 14, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang stated that China will not sell weapons to Russia and will regulate the export of goods to Russia that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. Qin's comments continue China's efforts to downplay its support for Russia rhetorically, indicating that the "unlimited" partnership declared by Russia and China before the large-scale invasion in Ukraine has its limits. According to ISW's assessment, Putin was unable to achieve the unrestricted bilateral partnership with China he had hoped for during his visit to Moscow from March 20 to 22.

The Russian forces continued to advance in Bakhmut and conducted ground attacks along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City line.

The full Russian Offensive Update 417 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

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